Ill 


lii' 


ic«v:i^ 


^H^j- 


^-b^.^^ 


'Es^'^c::^^ 


Columbia  tHnibtrsittp 


LiBRARY 


W^4 


^jM^^J^ 


;k 


-«^: 


•S^ 


wm^ 


ml^^ 


ii\^^ ' 


/" 


MEMOIRS 


OF  THK 


REV.  MATTHIAS   BRUEN 


PHJNTE" 


,IV    NVl 


UMAM    F.    r.KT.nF.S 


^iULAliKLl'"'-^- 


ay£^  ^/ry^^t^^k^ 


EngraTedbylHLongacre  ftoir.  a  >.finia.nire  PaiMedby  L. Arliud -.n  181" 


MEMOIRS 


LIFE   AND   CHARACTER 


OP    THE 


REV.  MATTHIAS  BRUEN, 


\v\ 


L  AT 


PASTOR  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH. 


IN  BLEECKER-STREET,  NEW-iTORK. 


NEW-YORK; 

JOHN  P.  HAVEN,  AND  C.  G    AND  H.  CAHVIL  : 

CAREY  AND  LEA,  AND  TO  WAR  AND  HOGAN,  P'IILADELPHIA: 

AND  PIERCE  AND  PARKER,  JbOSTON. 

1831. 


Hnteret)  according  to  the  ^ct  of  (KOHfircss  in  the  year  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  thirty-one,  by  Williaini  F.  Geddes,  in  the  Clerk's 
Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


There  is  no  study  more  interesting  than  that 
of  the  mind  of  man,  whether  regarded  in  its 
original  dignity — the  pure  off- spring  of  God; 
or  as  perverted  by  alienation  from  its  Source, 
or  as  recovered  through  the  incarnation  of 
Christ. 

In  each  of  these  views  human  character  va- 
ries indefinitely  and  will  vary  forever.  Dr  John 
Pye  Smith,*  says  of  Mr  Bruen,  in  a  letter 
occasioned  by  his  death, — ^^  My  dear  and  never 

♦Author  of  "Scripture  Testimony  to  the  Divinity  of  Clirist,"  &e. 


IV  ADVERTISEMENT. 

to  be  forgotten  friend  Avas  an  extraordinary 
man.  In  him  were  found  qualities  which  we 
think  ourselves  very  happy  to  discover  dwell- 
ing apart^  each  having  a  separate  bosom  for  its 
temple.''  That  the  image  of  one  so  peculiarly 
beautiful  in  his  moral  and  intellectual  structure^ 
might  for  a  while  be  kept  from  forgetfulness, 
led  to  the  request  which  this  publication  has 
fulfilled. 


TNTRODUCTTON. 


The  consciousness  of  possessing  some  ma- 
terials for  a  memoir,  which  no  other  person 
could  possess,  induced  the  compiler  to  yield 
to  an  urgency  which  in  any  circumstances  it 
would  have  been  very  painful  to  disappoint. 
Now  however,  that  the  attempt  has  been  made, 
a  still  more  painful  sentiment  arises — the  fear 
of  causing  disappointment  by  the  imperfect 
execution  of  a  task  which  is  worthy  of  the 
exertion  of  a  more  skilful  hand. 

It  has  been  difficult  to  attain  some  informa- 
tion which  ought  to  have  found  a  place  in  this 


VI  INTRODUCTIOJf. 

little    work,  relative   to   the   earlier    years  of 
Mr  Bruen.      This   however  is   not   much  to 
be  regretted.     In  most  memoirs  the  juvenile 
period  of  life  furnisiies   but  little  that  is   in- 
structive 5  nor    is   it  till   the   moral  character 
becomes   developed,  and  the  active  period  of 
manhood  arrives,  that  we  desire  more  minute 
details.     It  is  therefore  in  the  years  which  con- 
cluded a  life   daily    increasing  in   its  useful 
influence,   that    the    lack    of    materials  is    to 
be  lamented ;  and  it  is  with  feelings  of  pro- 
found regret,  that  in  this  case  a  sketchy  de- 
lineation  of  the  last  few   years   is  presented, 
instead  of  a  finished    picture.      Passages    of 
many  letters  which  would  have  come  home  to 
the  bosom  of  the  reader,  have  been  for  obvious 
reasons  suppressed.     While  others,  of  no  great 
interest  except  to  those  who  received    them, 
have  been  inserted,  for  the  mere  lack  of  other 
details  referring  to  the  period  of  their  dates. — 
If  literary  fame  had  been  an  object  very  im- 


INTRODUCTIOX.  VII 


portant  in  his  sights  it  would  be  unjust  to  bis 
memory  to  publisb  familiar  letters,  witb  only 
slight  verbal  alterations,  Avritten  with  amaz- 
ing rapidity,  often  at  the  close  of  toilsome  days, 
and  with  tlie  indifierence  to  style,  which  con- 
fiding friendship  alloAvs.  It  is  certainly  im- 
portant that  they  should  bear  the  stamp  of 
genuine  productions,  and  not  lose  their  indi- 
viduality by  the  improvement  of  the  style. 

To  that  country  which  he  more  than  any 
man,  has  taught  us  to  love ; — To  that  church 
in  whose  prosperity  he  has  taught  us  to  feel  an 
animated  interest ; — To  those  friends  who,  in 
common  with  us,  deplore  his  early  loss — this 
imperfect  Memorial  is  presented,  accompanied 
by  the  fervent  wish  that  it  may  be  enlivening 
and  instructive  to  some  of  its  readers. 


LIFE  OF 


MATTHIAS   BRUEN 


CHAPTER   I. 

When  any  arrangement  of  the  Supreme  Ruler 
baffles  our  calculations  and  our  wishes,  how  readily 
do  we  exclaim — "  It  is  a  mysterious  dispensation — It 
is  an  untimely  event" — Blind,  yet  unwitting  of  his 
blindness,  the  Jiiiite  sets  about  measuring  the  con- 
duct of  the  Infinite,  and  having  formed  his  own  petty 
plan  of  what  ought  to  be,  he  terms  the  plan  of  the 
Eternal  mysterious,  and  marvels  that  He  should  act 
differently.  When  we  see  a  man  eminently  quali- 
jfied  for  important  services,  who  has  gone  through 
long  and  arduous  preparatory  discipline,  and  is  now 
entered  on  a  course  of  successful  exertion,  suddenly 
smitten  by  disease,  and  cut  off  in  the  midst  of  his 
days ,  before  the  circle  of  which  he  was  the  centre, 
has  had  time  to  adjust  itself  to  the  new  and  unlook- 
ed  for  event,  the  voice  of  feeling,  as  well  as  of 
disappointed  expectation,  exclaims,  "  mysterious  dis- 

B 


2  MEMOIRS   OF 

pensation — untimely  event!"  And  so  it  is  an  untimely- 
event  to  us,  if  we  can  cast  our  eyes  no  further  than 
the  boundary  of  our  ov^rn  httle  circle.  Sad  ruin  of 
a  rare  machine  of  intellectual  and  moral  power — 
Sad  devastation  of  those  means  which  are  fitted  to 
elevate  the  tone  of  human  character — Sad  frustration 
of  those  anticipations  on  which  the  Holy  One  himself 
looks  with  complacency! 

The  disappointed  mourner  must  however  re- 
member, that  as  no  man  was  ever  created  solely 
for  the  profit  of  others;  so  was  no  man  ever  re- 
moved from  this  our  living  scene,  solely  for  their 
privation,  or  punishment  He  is  still  in  the  universe 
of  God,  still  a  member  of  the  great  system  of  things 
that  shall  shew  forth  his  glory.  We  have  lost  him. 
His  philanthropic  exertions  shall  no  longer  aid  in 
subduing  the  oppressions,  and  alleviating  the  mis- 
eries of  his  fellows.  No  longer  shall  his  tender 
sympathy  soften  our  cares.  No  longer  shall  his 
sage  counsel  aid  our  perplexities.  No  longer  shall 
his  prayers  call  down  blessings  on  our  spirits.  But 
he!  Is  he  lost?  Have  his  thoughts  perished  with 
him?  Is  his  experience  all  unavaihng?  Are  his 
generous  affections,  his  melting  sympathies  all  swal- 
lowed up  by  the  devouring  grave  ?  Or  are  they  all 
merged  in  a  mere  negative  passive  enjoyment  in 
heaven,  a  region  with  which  we  are  acquainted 
only  by  name?  No — His  Lord  had  need  of  him  in 
another  country.    We  thought  he  was  fit  to  live, 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  8 

and  would  fain  have  detained  him.  God  saw  that 
he  was  fit  to  die,  and  called  him  hence.  How  far 
are  we  mistaken  when  we  regard  death  as  having 
quenched  the  mental  activity  which  has  excited  our 
admiration  and  love.  As  surely  as  the  struggle 
which  introduces  a  human  being  into  this  suffering 
dying  world,  is  the  fore-runner  of  a  series  of  voli- 
tions and  exertions ; — so  surely  is  the  struggle  which 
dismisses  the  faithful  soul,  an  introduction  to  that 
unsuffering  kingdom  where  plans  are  formed  with- 
out selfish  solicitude,  and  action  exists  without  toil ; 
and  where  all  that  in  this  world  is  accompanied 
with  perplexity  and  perturbation,  shall  be  met  by  a 
perfect  acquiescence  in  the  will,  and  a  perfect  con- 
fidence in  the  power  and  goodness  of  God. 

The  scriptures  furnish  us  not  so  much  with  a 
description  of  what  heaven  is,  as  of  what  it  is 
not.  We  have  therefore  nothing  to  encourage  us 
to  minute  conceptions  of  what  its  positive  occupa- 
tions consist  in.  But  knowing  as  we  do,  that  benevo- 
lence even  in  this  sinful  world  leads  to  strenuous  ex- 
ertion, can  we  suppose  that  the  benevolence  of  the 
land  of  glory  is  slothful  or  drowsy  ?  Or  that  where 
God  the  centre  of  love  dwells,  there  is  no  occupa- 
tion for  those  emotions  in  which  He  delights,  and 
which  He  must  delight  to  see  producing  all  their 
heavenly  fruits. 

The  very  events  which  most  we  deplore,  must 
on  consideration  teach  us,  that  there  is  another  and 


4  MEMOIRS    OF 

a  nobler  scene  of  usefulness  for  man.  He  has  been 
but  a  pupil  on  earth,  and  when  we  see  him  carried 
from  us  just  when  he  has  attained  something  of  that 
for  which  he  strove,  we  cannot  suppose  that  the 
Being  who  makes  nothing  in  vain,  has  cut  him  off 
from  the  exercise  of  those  powers  so  calculated  to 
give  glory  to  their  Creator. 

"This  excellent  mechanism  of  matter  and  mind 
which  beyond  any  other  of  His  works,  declares  the 
wisdom  of  the  Creator,  and  which,  under  His  guid- 
ance is  now  passing  the  season  of  its  first  prepara- 
tion, shall  stand  up  anew  from  the  dust  of  dissolution, 
and  then,  with  freshened  powers,  and  with  a  store 
of  hard-earned  and  practical  wisdom  for  its  guid- 
ance, shall  essay  new  labours,  in  the  service  of  God 
who  by  such  instruments  chooses  to  accomplish  His 
designs  of  beneficence.  That  so  prodigious  a  waste 
of  the  highest  qualities  should  take  place,  as  is  implied 
in  the  notions  which  many  christians  entertain  of  the 
future  state,  is  indeed  hard  to  imagine.  The  mind 
of  man,  formed  as  it  is,  to  be  more  tenacious  of  its 
active  habits,  than  even  of  its  moral  dispositions,  is, 
in  the  present  state,  trained  often  at  an  immense 
cost  of  suffering,  to  the  exercise  of  skill,  of  fore- 
thought, of  courage,  of  patience  ;  and  ought  it  not 
to  be  inferred,  unless  positive  evidence  contradicts 
the  supposition,  that  this  system  of  education  bears 
some  relation  of  fitness  to  the  state  for  which  it  is 
an  initiation?     Shall    not  the  very    same  qualities 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  5 

which  here  arc  so  sedulously  fashioned  and  finished, 
be  actually  needed  and  used  in  that  future  world  of 
perfection  ?  Surely  the  idea  is  inadmissible  that  an 
instrument  wrought  up  at  so  much  expense  to  a 
polished  fitness  for  service,  is  destined  to  be  sus- 
pended for  ever  on  the  palace  walls  of  heaven,  as 
a  glittering  bauble,  no  more  to  make  proof  of  its 
temper!"*' 

Such  thoughts  put  to  silence  our  regrets  for  an 
"untimely"  removal,  and  enable  us  to  trace  with 
chastened  admiration,  the  wisdom  of  the  divine 
guidance,  which  has  led  the  departed  soul  from  its 
first  entrance  into  the  spiritual  life,  through  all  the 
intermediate  stages  of  learning,  suffering,  and  act- 
ing, up  to  its  entrance  on  life  Eternal ! 

In  that  blessed  region  on  which  the  just  enter,  all 
things  must  be  new,  surprising,  overwhelming,  to 
the  soul ;  a  style  of  existence  strange  to  the  spirit  ; 
a  dwelling  place  whose  modes  are  untried;  society 
all  pure,  all  energetic,  all  overflowing  with  felicity ; 
one  Presence,  whose  Holy  Majesty,  we  of  this  scene 
cannot,  and  if  we  could,  we  dare  not  realize.  But 
mighty  as  is  the  change,  trying  as  appears  to  us  the 
introduction,  the  spirit  is  encouraged  to  enter;  for 
it  is  to  the  presence  of  a  reconciled  Father,  and  of 
a  gracious  and  exalted  Redeemer. 

How  different,  may  we  not  without  presumption 
believe; — were  the  emotions  of  our  removed  brother, 

*  Natural  History  of  Enthusiasm,  p.  153. 


6  MEMOIRS   OF 

when  guided  and  welcomed  by  divine  compassion, 
to  the  courts  of  heaven,  from  those  experienced  by 
his  sensitive  modesty,  on  making  his  way  in  foreign 
countries,  into  the  society  of  his  fellows !  The  deli- 
cacy, the  painful  sensibility  betrayed  by  him,  on 
first  seeking  the  hospitality  of  those  with  whom  his 
affectionate  heart  found  a  home  on  the  other  side 
of  the  Atlantic,  is  still  present  to  me.  The  conflict 
between  the  desire  to  act  the  frank  and  practised 
traveller,  and  that  natively  retiring  temper,  which 
would  rather  hnger  under  the  cheering  influences 
of  friendship,  than  roam  adventurously  amid  the 
conflicting  hurry  of  a  heartless  world;  the  heart 
charged  with  all  the  melting  charities,  yet  looking 
out  with  caution,  yielding  itself  warily,  and  ex- 
panding at  last  under  the  confiding  sympathies  of 
christian  sentiments;  all  these  are  before  me  now, 
vivid  as  they  were  in  the  summer  of  1817,  when 
first  he  crossed  the  threshold  of  his  "Scottish 
home."  Those  who  knew  our  lamented  friend, 
know  how  attractive  was  his  appearance;  but  those 
only  who  received  him,  knowing  nothing  beyond 
his  name  and  country,  could  experience  the  ani- 
mated interest  of  developing  his  sentiments  by 
slow  degrees,  and  discovering  after  some  solici- 
tude on  the  subject,  that  he  was  a  lively  and  watch- 
ful Christian.  He  afterwards  described  the  process 
of  his  own  mind,  in  reference  to  his  new  friends,  as 
nearly   similar;    and  in    after  days  of    unchecked 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  7 

frankness  of  communion,  wc  have  mutually  re- 
ferred to  a  conversation  on  caring  for  the  souls  of 
relatives,  in  vi^hich  he  had  alluded  to  his  private 
conferences  and  prayers  v^^ith  the  juniors  of  his 
own  family,  as  the  point  at  which  each  of  us  be- 
came sure  of  a  heavenly  bond  of  union.  It  was  at 
this  point  that  we  learned,  not  to  dread  the  forma- 
tion of  a  friendship,  which  must  soon  experience 
the  pang  of  having  a  wide  ocean  to  divide  us.  It 
was  here  that  we  felt  we  were  acquiring  treasures 
for  Eternity.  In  twelve  years  of  the  closest  inti- 
macy, and  the  minutest  sympathy,  the  bond  has 
been  but  the  more  closely  knitted;  and  now  though 
severed  by  a  darker  gulph  than  the  Atlantic,  we 
are  still  friends,  and  look  back  on  those  broken 
bonds,  not  with  helpless  sorrow,  but  with  chastened 
gratitude. 

When  he  entered  his  Eternal  abode,  he  knew 
that  he  should  meet  none  who  did  not  honor  his 
Lord;  when  he  entered  the  abodes  of  strangers  on 
earth,  he  had  reason  to  tremble  lest  he  should  meet 
with  none  who  recognised  his  authority.  In  pro- 
portion to  his  fear  was  his  joy,  when  he  discovered 
those  who  were  no  strangers  to  his  experience,  and 
with  whom  he  could  participate  his  joys  and  fears. 
He  complained  of  the  unsettled  state  of  traveUing, 
as  being  very  adverse  to  spiritual  advancement, 
and  rejoiced  to  pause  and  collect  himself,  and  em- 
brace a  cessation  from  long  continued  action,  for 


MEMOIRS    OF 


inward  meditation,  and  communion  with  his  God 
If  he  rejoiced,  no  less  did  his  new  friends  rejoice 
to  hear  the  language  of  their  adopted  country, 
from  lips  from  a  foreign  land,  and  to  find  their 
confessions  and  petitions  poured  out  at  the  family 
altar  by  a  stranger,  with  a  union  of  sympathies, 
familiar  as  if  they  had  been  reared  and  educated 
together.  The  heart  is  in  such  circumstances  quick- 
ly unlocked.  The  language  of  fellow  pilgrims  is 
the  language  of  our  Father's  house;  and  that  at- 
traction which  made  our  lamented  brother  quickly 
feel  himself  at  home  on  earth,  has  doubtless,  in  a 
far  superior  degree,  familiarized  his  now  glorified 
spirit  to  the  blessed  dwelling  place  where  there  is 
no  alloy  of  evil  in  the  friendship  he  is  forming,  and 
where  Christ  sitteth  at  the  right  hand  of  God. 

This  solicitude  about  spiritual  improvement  was 
a  convincing  evidence  that  he  had  chosen  the  hea- 
venly country  for  his  country,  and  the  God  of 
heaven  for  his  portion.  How  often  is  the  period 
spent  in  foreign  travel,  regarded  by  the  young  as 
a  period  of  license,  when  they  may  cast  off*  the 
restraint  of  early  training,  and  under  the  plea  of 
improving  by  seeing  every  thing,  participate  in 
scenes  of  folly,  and  plunge  into  enjoyments,  which 
in  presence  of  their  christian  friends,  and  their 
church,  they  would  think  sinful.  In  this  respect 
Mr  Bruen  was  a  pattern  of  singleness  of  view, 
and   oneness  of  purpose.    The  observer   to  whom 


MATTHIAS   BRUEN.  9 

his  conscience  gave  account,  is  every  where  pre- 
sent. The  purity  after  which  he  aspired  admitted 
of  no  stolen  indulgence,  of  no  secret  stain.  With 
a  mind  whose  expanded  observation  might  have 
found  an  apology  for  examining  man  under  all  his 
varied  phases;  with  purposes  of  usefulness  in  future 
life,  which  might  have  led  him  to  imagine  that 
mingling  with  the  lighter  part  of  society  would 
teach  him  how  to  influence  it,  he  still  walked  cir- 
cumspectly, and  kept  himself  unspotted  from  the 
world,  justly  believing  that  the  surest  way  to  have 
a  salutary  moral  influence  on  others,  was  to  keep 
himself  pure. 

Such  was  the  character  of  Mr  Bruen,  and  such 
the  impression  made  by  him  in  his  twenty-fourth 
year.  It  was  left  for  protracted  and  confiding  in- 
tercourse to  dovelope  the  course  of  his  past  life. 


CHAPTER   II. 

The  Rev.  Matthias  Bruen  was  descended  from 
John  Bruen  Esquire,  of  Bruen  Stapleford,  in  the 
County  of  Chester,  a  man  highly  distinguished 
among  the  early  puritans,  as  an  example  of  evan- 
geUcal  religion.  One  of  his  younger  sons,  Obadiah 
Bruen,  the  direct  ancestor  of  the  subject  of  these 
memoirs  was  among  the  earliest  of  the  puritan  emi- 
grants to  New  England;  his  family  having  been 
much  persecuted  in  the  reign  of  Charles  I  for  their 
friendship  to  the  celebrated  Mr  Prynne,  at  the 
time  of  his  imprisonment  in  the  Castle  of  Chester. 

He  was  patentee  of  the  Colony  of  Connecticut 
from  Charles  II  in  1662,  and  was  Recorder  of 
New  London,  until  the  year  1667,  when  he  and 
Mr  Abraham  Pierson,  the  pastor,  and  Mr  Stephen 
Kitchell,  bought  of  the  Indians,  for  themselves  and 
their  associates,  the  now  flourishing  town  of  New- 
ark, then  called  New-work,  in  New  Jersey.  In 
this  place  his  descendants  have  continued  to  reside 
until  the  present  day.  It  may  not  be  out  of  place 
to  mention,  that  although  the  hill  side  of  the  Pas- 
saic was  at  times  the  battle-field  of  hostile  tribes, 
after  their  purchase,  no  event  ever  occurred  to  dis- 


12  MEMOIRS   OF 

turb  the  firm  concord  between  them  and  the  In- 
dians. These  puritanical  pilgrims  laid  the  foun- 
dation of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Newark,  and 
the  following  original  letter,  preserved  among  the 
records  of  New  London,  as  the  evidence  of  a  title 
to  a  piece  of  land  in  that  place,  makes  interesting 
mention  of  the  first  pastor  of  that  little  church,  and 
gives  some  insight  into  the  character  of  one  of  its 
members. 

**  Dear  and  laving  Sonne  and  Daughter ^ 

"  Hoping  of  your  health  with  yours  ag  we  are  at 
present,  praise  to  our  God.  It  hath  pleased  God 
hitherto  to  continue  our  lives  and  liberties,  though 
it  hath  pleased  him  to  imbitter  our  comforts  by 
taking  to  himself  our  reverend  pastor,  Aug.  the  9, 
1678,  Mr  Pierson.  Yet  hath  he  not  left  us  desti- 
tute of  spiritual  enjoyments,  but  hath  given  us  a 
faithful  dispenser  of  the  word  of  God,  a  young 
Timothy — a  man  after  God's  own  heart,  well  root- 
ed and  grounded  in  the  faith,  one  with  whom  we 
can  comfortably  walk  in  the  doctrines  of  the  faith. 
Praise  to  our  God.  Upon  good  experience  of  him 
he  was  called  and  ordained  to  be  our  teacher,  Mr. 
Abraham  Pierson,  who  follows  in  the  steps  of  his 
ancient  father  in  godlinesse — praise  to  our  God. 

Loving  Sonne  I  would  intreat  you  when  your 
own  occasion  serves  going  to  New  London,  that 
you  would  make  some  inquiry  for  me  about  some 


MATTHIAS    BRUEIf.  IS 

land  I  have  in  the  General  Neck — 13  acres  and  6 
acres — and  two  parcells — both  lying  near  to  Good- 
man Rogers  his  farm, — I  am  informed  one  of 
Goodman  Rogers  his  sons,  hath  made  improve- 
ment of  it — before  I  heard  any  thing  of  it,  being 
far  off.  I  know  not  what  course  to  take  in  it— it 
is  an  uncivil  part,  and  an  ill  precedent — yet  for 
peace  and  quietness  sake,  if  he  will  purchase  both 
parcells,  I  adheare  thereunto.  I  estimate  both  par- 
cells  at  10  pounds.  When  you  know  which  of  his 
sons  it  is — I  pray  know  of  him  how  long  he  hath 
improved  it,  and  why  he  would  deal  so  unworthily 
to  occasion  discord  among  friends.  Know  of  him 
what  he  intends  to  do,  and  whether  he  means  to 
hold  it  in  such  an  unrighteous  way,  or  come  to 
some  composition. — When  I  hear  from  you  and 
understand  the  state  of  things  rightly,  I  will  ac- 
cordingly apply  myself  to  make  some  issue. — It 
would  much  rejoice  us  to  see  you  face  to  face, 
but  Providence  otherwise  disposing  I  desire  to 
heare  from  you  as  opportunity  will  permit. — Your 
brother  John  Bruen  and  his  wife,  desire  remem- 
brance of  their  dear  love  to  you,  also  your  Sister 
Hannah  and  her  husband  desire  the  same,  all  in 
health — Praise  to  our  God — with  their  children. 
Our  dear  love  to  you  both.  Will  you  remember 
our  respects  to  Mr  and  Mrs  Fitch,  and  love  to 
all  Christian  friends  as  your  opportunity  will  per- 
mit.    So  praying    for  you  that    your    spiritual  and 


14  MEMOIRS   OF 

temporal  comforts   may  be  continued   to   you  and 
yours — I  rest  your  loving  Father, 

Obadiah  Bruen, 
and  Mother, 

Sarah  Bruen." 
Extracted  out  of  the    original  under  Mr.  Bruen's 
hand  writing  per  Ebenezer  Hile — Recorder. 
July  2,  1681. 

Mr  Bruen's  family  had  resided  for  several  gen- 
erations in  Nev^rark,  N.  J.;  his  father  being  Mr 
Matthias  Bruen,  now  of  Perth  Amboy,  and  his 
mother    Hannah,   daughter   of   Mr    Benjamin    Coe. 

The  subject  of  these  memoirs  was  born  in  Newark, 
April  11th,  1793;  and  was  not  dedicated  to  God  in 
baptism  until  he  had  passed  the  age  of  infancy,  and 
his  understanding  had  attained  such  a  degree  of 
strength,  that  the  pastor  who  administered  that  or- 
dinance, spoke  solemnly  to  himself  on  the  occasion, 
and  took  considerable  pains  to  impress  his  mind. 
From  the  pecuHarly  reflecting  turn  of  character 
which  he  evinced  from  early  childhood,  he  was 
more  likely  to  receive  such  impression  than  most  of 
his  age.  His  fondness  for  reading,  even  at  six 
years  old  was  such,  that  he  would  often  lock  him- 
self into  a  room  that  he  might  enjoy  his  book  undis- 
turbed. At  eight  years  old  he  was  separated  from 
the  other  members  of  his  family,  and  resided  during 
the  succeeding  seven  years  alone  with  his  paternal 


MATTfflAS   BRUEN.  15 

grandfather.  From  his  winter  evening  narratives, 
his  young  companion  obtained  much  historical  in- 
formation, and  he  often  quoted  his  grandfather  as 
his  authority  for  detnils  of  the  state  of  parties,  and 
the  distresses  of  the  revolutionary  v^ar.  Mr  Bruen's 
school-boy  days  were  thus  passed  till  his  fifteenth 
year. 

In  1808  he  entered  Columbia  College,  and  in 
1812  he  obtained  an  academical  degree.  Concern 
about  his  spiritual  state  seems  to  have  begun  with 
him  about  his  tenth  year,  and  he  generally  referred 
to  the  period  of  his  school  and  college  life  with  dis- 
comfort, as  during  that  time  he  mourned  under  the 
pressure  of  the  Law.  He  did  not  attain  a  clear 
view  of  the  salvation  which  is  in  Jesus  Christ  till  his 
eighteenth  year.  From  first  to  last  during  his  ac- 
ademical studies,  he  held  an  honorable  pre-eminence 
among  his  class-mates;  and  shortly  after  having 
graduated  with  much  credit  to  himself,  he  entered 
the  Theological  Seminary  at  New  York,  under  the 
superintendence  of  Dr  John  M.  Mason;  as  it  was 
his  purpose  to  devote  himself  to  the  sacred  office  of 
the  Ministry.  Of  his  College  life  it  is  subject  of  re- 
gret that  we  can  relate  so  little.  His  early  associ- 
ates being  those  of  proximity  not  of  selection,  it 
seems  probable  that  his  habits  were  retired,  and 
that  the  reserve  which  arose  from  superior  refine- 
ment of  taste,  from  the  most  shrinking  delicacy  of 
moral  perception,   and  from  a   love  of  study,  may 


16  MEMOIRS  OF 

have  passed  with  some  for  a  lofty  estimate  of  him- 
self, and  his  own  attainments.  In  after  life  he  spoke 
with  strong  regard  of  some  of  his  companions, 
who  had  like  himself,  entered  the  ministry,  and  the 
notice  of  their  success  and  usefuhiess,  was  often 
referred  to,  both  in  his  conversation  and  correspon- 
dence. 

In  the  year  1812,  he  was  visited  by  a  severe  fit 
of  sickness,  which  gave  his  constitution  a  shock 
that  was  not  likely  to  be  readily  overcome,  by  a 
person  of  his  sedentary  and  studious  habits.  In  tho 
year  1816,  though  health  was  far  from  being  the 
sole  object  of  his  voyage  to  Europe,  it  formed  cer- 
tainly one  of  the  most  prominent  reasons  for  his 
quitting  his  country,  at  the  moment  when  having 
fulfilled  all  the  terms  of  study,  and  become  licensed 
to  preach  the  Gospel,  he  seemed  more  likely  to  have 
formed  an  engagement  at  home. 

He  left  New  York  in  the  society  of  his  distinguish- 
ed and  much  honored  preceptor,  Dr  Mason,  in  the 
summer  of  1816.  They  passed  hastily  through 
England  and  Scotland ;  Dr  Mason  leaving  his  son, 
a  youth,  under  the  guidance  of  relatives  in  Edin- 
burg  to  prosecute  his  education.  Mr  Bruen  trans- 
mitted his  letters  of  introduction  to  the  clergyman 
in  Scotland,  who  was  afterwards  enriched  by  his 
friendship,  with  an  expression  of  concern  that  he 
could  not  quit  Dr  Mason  to  deliver  them,  and  a 
hope  that  next  year  he  might  be  enabled  to  come  in 


MATTHIAS   BRUEN.  X7 

person.  The  two  friends  then  went  ^to  France, 
passed  some  time  at  Paris,  and  proceeded  as  far 
south  as  Switzerland.  The  only  letter  we  are  able 
to  present  in  this  year,  is  one  from  Paris  addressed 
to  his  parents. 

Paris,  December  1st,  1816. 
My  dear  Father  and  Mother, 

We  arrived  here  on  the  29th,  having  left  Lon- 
don on  the  monday  (25th)  preceding;  and  I  sit 
down  to  employ  part  of  the  sabbath  evening  in  let- 
ting you  know  where,  and  how  I  am.  This  is  the 
first  sabbath,  except  those  on  board  the  ship,  in 
which  I  am  obliged  to  feel  myself  altogether  from 
home.  In  England  and  Scotland,  the  day  brought 
with  it,  christian  communion.  The  society  of  those 
whose  hearts  we  knew  were  possessed  with  the 
same  powerful  desires,  while  it  strongly  recalled  to 
our  recollection,  friends  and  enjoyments  far  away, 
at  the  same  time  gave  us  an  equivalent,  to  a  certain 
degree,  for  what  our  affection  felt  to  be  wanting. 
We  have  each  sabbath  united  our  hearts  and  voice 
in  prayer  and  praise,  with  the  people  of  Christ,  scat- 
tered up  and  down  in  this  world  of  sin  and  misery. 
But  on  this  sabbath  we  are  excluded  from  our  priv- 
ileges. It  brings  with  it  here  no  holy  public  exer- 
cises ;  we  are  shut  up  to  our  own  meditations ;  we 
sigh  for  home. — "  0  that  I  had  the  wings  of  a  dove." 
My  heart  throbs  and  melts  at  the  remembrance  of 


18  MEMOIRS   OF 

this  day's  occupation  there.  How  can  we,  without 
sin,  doubt  whether  there  be  access,  even  into  the 
Holiest,  through  the  blood  of  Jesus,  to  the  most  mis- 
erable or  depraved  or  ignorant  of  those  whom  a 
sense  of  their  own  sinfulness  excites  to  cry  mightily 
unto  God,  that  they  may  be  saved.  I  look  at  the  spec- 
tacle, present  to  my  imagination,  of  our  fireside  at 
this  hour ;  I  look  at  the  situation — the  face, — and  ev- 
ery feature  of  each  one  there.  May  the  blessing  of 
the  Holy  One  richly  descend  into  the  hearts  of  them 
all.  This  city,  above  all  others,  perhaps  Rome  alone 
excepted,  is  destitute  of  true  religion.  Here  the 
sabbath  never  comes.  Sunday  indeed  they  have ;  they 
greet  its  return — but  it  is  with  such  festivities  as  exhi- 
bit a  most  entire  want  of  the  fear  of  God.  The 
streets  here  on  this  day  are  exactly  as  ours  on  the 
4th  of  July,  except  that  our  4th,  looks  more  like  a 
Sabbath,  since  nobody  pretends  to  work.  But  here 
the  black-smith  is  at  his  forge,  and  the  other  mechan- 
ics at  their  labour ;  and  the  streets  crowded  by  an 
immense  multitude  of  people,  with  bell-men  hawking 
about  their  things  for  sale,  and  show-men  consuming 
the  time  selected  by  the  Creator  as  holy  to  himself, 
every  hour  of  which  brings  those  myriads  of  immor- 
tals nearer  their  eternal  immutable  condition.  Poor 
Paris !  what  are  splendid  palaces  to  the  want  of  the 
church  of  the  living  God.  Of  what  value  these  gew- 
gaws of  an  hour,  in  comparison  of  the  glorious  con- 
dition of  that  city  or  nation  whose  God  is  the  Lord. 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  IQ 

Oh  !  how  miserable  is  the  spectacle  if  we  throw 
upon  it  the  light  of  eternity.  But  you  will  ask  where 
are  the  Protestants  ?  Alas !  the  infection  of  sin  has 
operated  most  fearfully,  and  though  I  hope  to  find 
some  of  them  good  men,  for  the  most  part  they  are 
mere  frozen  pretenders  to  Christianity.  Great  will 
be  my  guilt,  if  the  lesson  I  am  now  receiving  does 
not  sink  deep  into  my  soul,  and  fill  me  with  resolu- 
tions, to  spend  and  be  spent,  in  the  most  honorable 
service,  with  tenfold  zeal  and  constancy  beyond 
what  I  might  have  hoped  from  myself,  if  I  had 
never  seen  any  thing  out  of  my  own  country. 
"  Strengthen  thou  me "  in  them  "  according  to  thy 
word."  This  is  the  great  benefit  that  I  hope  for 
from  this  journey ;  that  it  will  fit  me  with  more  utility 
and  fervour  to  pursue  what  it  is  my  heart's  desire  and 
prayer  may  be  the  business  of  my  life.  And  while  I 
shall  rejoice  to  return,  whenever  the  good  providence 
of  God  may  please  to  lead  me  back ;  I  have  no  doubt 
that  it  will  always  be  to  me  reason  of  thankfulness 
that  I  was  sent  here.  I  frequently  make  the  trial  of 
my  faith ;  and  my  conscience  answers — I  esteem 
nothing  so  much  as  an  interest  "in  the  purchased 
inheritance:" — it  answers,  that  love  to  that  divine 
Master  "  who  so  loved  us  as  to  give  himself"  to  such 
a  death  in  all  its  sanctifying  and  enlivening  influ- 
ences, is  what  I  most  wish  to  fill  my  heart,  that  so 
earthly  things  may  lose  their  power  over  my  affec- 
tions, and  I  have  that  spiritual-mindedness  which  is 


^  MEMOIRS  OP 

life  and  peace.  But  shall  I  be  guilty  of  the  folly  of 
attempting  to  express  the  thoughts  that  rush  into 
the  mind  when  we  think  of  the  force  of  the  expres- 
sions— parents — brothers — sisters — for  eternity  ? — 
Oh  may  each  of  us  bear  that  relation  in  very  deed 
and  truth.  We  will  pray  for  it.  And  while  our 
grand-parents  move  onward,  and  cross  that  line  of 
separation  between  the  two  worlds,  (fearful  line 
when  unbelief  rises — joyful  and  glorious  when  faith 
triumphs,)  may  each  of  us  children,  be  walking  with 
God  towards  heaven.  No  one  who  has  not  been  in 
a  foreign  land,  out  of  the  restraints  of  habit  and 
character  and  friends,  can  tell  what  measure  of 
grace  is  required  for  a  christian  walk.  I  would 
pray  continually  to  be  enabled  "  to  walk  not  as  a 
fool,"  not  as  a  sinner,  "but  as  wise;"  and  surely 
the  reason  that  follows  is  a  reason  that  must  be  felt 
in  all  its  force  here,  "because  the  days  are  evil." 
I  am  ever,  with  respect 

And  tender  affection. 

Your    M. 

Let  those  who,  under  the  sanction  of  the  specious 
proverb,  "do  at  Rome  as  they  do  at  Rome,"  change 
their  habits  as  they  change  their  sky,  observe  the 
steadfastness,  not  only  of  the  experienced  divine, 
but  of  his  juvenile  associate.  The  latter  described 
their  first  sabbath  at  Paris,  as  a  day  of  unmingled 
pain,  when  they  attended  a  Protestant  place  of  wor- 


MATTHIA3    BRUEN.  2t 

ship,  with  a  handful  of  people,  under  a  cheerless 
ministry,  then  strayed  with  sinking  spirits,  into  two 
or  three  of  the  churches,  where  there  was  the  recital 
of  prayers  in  an  unknown  tongue,  and  no  auditors, 
and  at  last  took  refuge  in  their  own  apartment,  to 
pass  the  evening  in  tears  and  prayers,  for  the  thought- 
less and  prayerloss  multitudes  around  them.  During 
his  prolonged  residence  in  that  city,  so  full  of  seduc- 
tion for  the  young  heart,  he  did  not  enter  one  of  its 
much  lauded  theatres,  nor  use  any  pretence  for  ex- 
amining more  closely  the  evils  which  he  disapprov- 
ed. When  interrogated  on  this  subject  he  remarked 
that  he  could  imagine  such  vanities  too  readily,  that 
he  could  not  see  any  positive  good  likely  to  arise 
from  his  sacrificing  time  to  the  personal  inspection 
of  such  things,  and  that  if  any  one  individual  on 
whom  he  might  exercise  a  salutary  spiritual  influ- 
ence, were  to  be  stumbled  by  hearing  that  he  had 
mingled  in  follies  which  he  disapproved,  he  would 
pay  a  price,  which  no  enlargement  of  views,  no 
deepened  impression  of  the  w^ay  in  which  such  pur- 
suits delude  the  heart,  could  compensate. 

This  is  one  evidence  among  a  multitude  which 
suggest  themselves  to  the  minds  of  his  familiar 
friends,  of  his  strenuous  devotedness  to  his  own 
mental  progress,  and  the  improvement  of  his  fellow 
men.  It  cannot  fail  to  be  interesting  to  those  as- 
sociates who  lost  sight  of  him,  during  the  years  he 
spent  in  Europe,  to  know  that  wherever  he  was,  he 


29  MEMOIRS  or 

was  ready  for  every  good  word  and  work;  that 
the  sick  in  foreign  lands  were  visited,  and  instructed 
by  him,  and  that  prayer  and  praise  were  his  de- 
light The  subjects  on  which  he  dilated  with  true 
enjoyment,  were  his  past  intercourse  with  christian 
friends  at  home,  and  his  hopes  of  being  made  useful 
especially  to  his  beloved  kindred  on  his  return. 
Surely  it  may  awaken  to  new  self-inspection,  those 
of  his  father's  house,  when  they  learn,  that  at  the 
distance  of  thousands  of  miles,  they  were  on  his 
heart,  and  in  his  intercessions ;  and  that  in  convers- 
ing of  them,  to  those  in  a  foreign  land  who  were  so 
happy  as  to  count  him  a  brother,  his  eyes  were 
often  dimmed  with  the  tears  of  solicitous  affection. 

The  two  following  fragments  of  letters  addressed 
to  his  brother  afford  a  glimpse  of  his  occupations  in 
Paris. 

Paris,  January  13th,  1817. 

*  *  «  »  I  -vvas  at  a  public  sitting  of  the  Abbe 
Sicard's  Institution  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb,  a  few 
weeks  ago,  when  our  nation  received  one  of  the 
most  heart-felt  expressions  of  respect  that  could  be 
uttered;  the  more  valuable  because  it  originated  in 
the  occurrence  of  the  moment.  The  word  which 
was  given  out  to  Massieu,  the  oldest  scholar,  to 
analyse  happened  to  be  navigation ;  which  he  divid- 
ed thus,  navi-ga-tion ;  from  the  first,  wari,  comes 
navire,  naviguer,  navigant,  naval,  &lc.  To  show 
that  he  understood  it,  he  was  desired  to  write  some- 


MATTHIAS   BRUE5.  98 

thing  about  naval  conflicts — he  wrote,  "les  Anglais 
sont  les  plus  grands  vainqueurs  dans  Ics  combats 
navals."  The  room  was  crowded,  a  great  many 
English  there;  he  saw  a  smile  and  added  immedi- 
ately, "  de  tous  les  peuples  de  1'  Europe."  I  turned  to 
Mr  King,  who  happened  to  be  near,  to  ask  if  ho 
thought  he  had  introduced  the  hmitation  designedly, 
but  he  did  not  leave  us  long  in  doubt,  for,  while  the 
applauses  were  proceeding  vigorously,  he  added, 
"Mais  ils  ne  peuvent  pas  vaincre  les  Americo- 
Anglais,  qui  ont  secoue  le  joug  du  roi  leur  maitre." 
There  were  enough  of  Americans  there,  with  the 
French,  to  keep  up  the  applause  in  the  most  striking 
manner,  for  all  feet,  canes  and  hands  were  in  mo- 
tion. To  see  a  deaf  and  dumb  man  feel  so  lively  an 
interest,  and  exhibit  such  just  information  concern- 
ing the  events  of  our  late  war,  was  very  interest- 
ing. We  were  numerous  enough  to  express  our 
reconnaissance  to  Massieu,  in  due  form  and  mea- 
sure, after  the  sitting  was  over,  Mr.  King  being  the 
orator  of  the  day.         **#*«, 

It  appears  that  the  writer,  had  in  the  interval  be- 
tween these  two  letters,  visited  Switzerland  and 
stayed  some  time  in  Geneva. 

Paris,  March  26th,  1817. 
*    *    *    *    It  is  greatly  to  be  lamented  that  so 
many  of  Calvin's  successors  should  be  unworthy  of 
that  honor.    The  cruel  heresy,  socinianism,  has  in 


24  MEMOIRS   OP 

a  great  measure  taken  the  place  of  the  truth  of  our 
God  and  Saviour.  But  it  gave  us  great  pleasure 
to  find,  that  the  worst  time  has  gone  by ;  especially 
among  the  young  ministers  and  students,  there  is  a 
strong  disposition  towards  the  truth.  So  little  real 
knowledge  does  the  course  of  lectures  given  by  the 
professors  afford  them,  that  they  are  anxious  to 
seize  every  opportunity  of  instruction.  A  Scotch 
gentleman,  who  has  been  there  some  time,  has  a 
number  who  visit  him  regularly  to  study  the  Scrip- 
tures, a  subject  to  which  most  of  the  professors  do 
not  think  of  turning  their  attention.  One  of  the 
things  which  made  my  time  ghde  by  so  rapidly,  was 
the  number  who  came  continually  to  have  their 
difficulties  explained,  and  the  doctrines  of  grace  illus- 
trated. The  evening  before  we  came  away,  at  one 
time,  Dr  Mason  had  I  think  fourteen.  There  is 
now  every  appearance,  that  things  will  return  to 
their  old  condition.  It  is  almost  impossible  to  con- 
ceive with  what  anxiety  they  inquire,  and  the  influ- 
ence it  has  when  they  find  persons  from  remote 
regions,  answering  immediately  the  current  objec- 
tions to  these  doctrines,  for  the  depravity  of  man, 
which  excites  them,  is  the  same  every  where.  It 
could  not  fail  to  strike  me  as  very  remarkable  that 
we  should  have  arrived  there  just  at  this  time,  when 
the  line  is  becoming  marked,  and  it  is  very  evident 
that  Dr  Mason's  character  and  instructions  will  not 
be  without  effect.      This  visit  then  may  prove   of 


klATTHIAS    BRUEX.  !M 

high  consequence  to  the  best  interests  of  the  Churcli. 
*  *  *  #  There  is  in  Switzerland  the  most  en- 
thusiastic admiration  of  our  country.  We  see  the 
proof  of  it  in  the  numbers  who  are  leaving  for  it, 
their  native  land.  Their  natural  character  is  cer- 
tainly more  like  our  own,  perhaps  without  except 
ing  the  English,  than  any  people  in  Europe.  With 
a  great  deal  of  industry  and  perseverance,  they 
combine  intelligence  and  morality. 

Since  I  have  seen  the  vineyards  of  France  and 
Switzerland,  it  seems  quite  evident  that  no  country 
is  better  suited  to  the  culture  of  the  grape  than  our 
own  ;  and  particularly,  the  land  along  the  Rhone, 
from  Lyons  to  Avignon,  where  some  of  the  best 
wine  in  France  is  produced,  has  a  very  great 
resemblance  to  some  parts  of  Virginia.  I  have 
seen  hills,  which  w^ere  so  steep  as  to  be  ex- 
ceedingly difficult  to  ascend,  cultivated  to  the  tops 
with  vines.  But  what  surprised  me  more  than  all, 
was  to  see  some  of  the  best  champaigne  vines  grow- 
ing out  of  land  almost  entirely  covered  with  stones, 
a  soil  from  which  the  rain  runs  off  almost  immedi- 
ately. In  Switzerland  too,  the  vineyards  are  in  like 
manner  on  very  broken  ground,  all  which  seems  to 
justify  the  idea  that  it  will  not  be  many  years  before 
the  attention  of  our  agriculturalists  will  be  turned  to 
this  subject,  and  it  will  be  a  happy  change  from 
whiskey  to  wine.        *#*##* 


26  MEMOIRS   OF 


CHAPTER    IV. 

Mr  Bruen  and  his  reverend  friend,  Dr  Mason,  did 
not  return  to  England,  till  the  following  spring,  when 
they  passed  the  weeks  of  religious  anniversaries  in 
London,  partaking  and  communicating  those  refresh- 
ments of  spirit,  which  are  peculiarly  the  privilege  of 
christians  in  their  mutual  intercourse.  Dr  Mason 
being  detained  in  London  by  his  medical  advisers, 
Mr  Bruen  travelled  leisurely  northward,  enjoying  as 
he  reached  their  abodes,  the  society  of  the  Rev  R.  Hall 
then  of  Leicester,  Foster  the  Essayist,  and  other  dis- 
tinguished persons.  He  lingered  among  the  natural 
curiosities  of  Derbyshire,  and  we  are  enabled  to  pre- 
sent a  portion  of  a  letter  to  his  mother  written  from 
Matlock. 

Matlock,  July  13th,  1817. 
My  dear  Mother, 

"This  sabbath  just  completes  the  year  since  we  suf- 
fered the  pain  of  separation.  The  first  emotion  which 
this  recollection  produces,  is  to  fix  upon  this  day  the 
mark,  "hitherto  hath  the  Lord  helped."  Through  many 
dangerous  situations,  through  many  temptations  has 
his  mercy  carried  me,  and  notwithstanding  very  great 
and  sinful  forgetfulness  of  his  presence  and  hoHness, 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  9lf 

his  commands  and  promises,  still  he  has  led  me  for- 
ward from  mercy  to  mercy.  I  surely  have  reason  to 
look  back  as  the  Psalmist  did  in  his  hours  of  despond- 
ence, to  the  several  places  v^^here  I  hope  I  have  enjoy- 
ed something  like  peculiar  grace,  and  as  he  says  in 
the  42d  Psalm,  "  O  my  God  my  soul  is  cast  down 
within  me — therefore^* — as  one  of  the  means  thou  hast 
appointed  for  the  encouragement  of  thy  people,  is 
their  own  experience  of  thy  former  goodness, — "  will 
I  remember  thee  from  the  land  of  Jordan,  and  of  the 
Hermonites,  and  from  the  hill  Mizar."  I  have  stay- 
ed here  longer  than  I  otherwise  should  have  done, 
that  I  might  enjoy  a  quiet  retired  sabbath,  and  have 
had  the  gratification  of  hearing  from  a  young  clergy- 
man of  the  Church  of  England,  of  great  christian  ex- 
perience, a  sermon  which  will  mark  one  of  the  places 
to  which  my  recollection  will  recur,  "  I  will  run  the 
way  of  thy  commandments  when  thou  shalt  enlarge 
my  heart."  /,  a  miserable  sinner,  will  run,  not  merely 
walk,  but  will  put  forth  all  my  strength,  to  follow  in  the 
broad  path  of  thy  precepts,  which  are  so  minute  and 
so  important.  But  these  resolutions  are  made  upon 
one  single  condition, — that  thy  grace  and  spirit  be 
present  to  "  enlarge  my  heart."        #        #        # 

He  stopped  for  the  second  time  at  the  ancient  city 
of  York,  of  whose  magnificent  Minster,  which  has 
since  been  scathed  by  the  hand  of  a  maniac  incendi- 
ary, he  spoke  in  terms  of  the  highest  admiration, 
even  after  visiting  the  Vatican. 


28  MATTHIAS    BRUKJf. 

It  was  on  the  last  day  of  July,  after  having  crossed 
the  Tweed  during  an  awful  thunder  storm,  on  the  top 
of  a  stage  coach,  that  he  presented  himself  for  the 
first  time  at  his  "Scottish  home,"  and  claimed  the 
recognition  to  which  his  letters  of  the  previous  year 
entitled  him.  And  it  was  in  the  succeeding  six  weeks 
while  he  waited  to  be  overtaken  by  his  travelling 
companion,  and  was  prevailed  on  from  day  to  day  to 
tarry,  that  the  basis  of  that  friendship  was  laid,  which 
though  death  has  broken,  it  cannot  destroy.  Little 
can  be  detailed  of  the  privacy  of  domestic  life.  It 
may  be  interesting,  however,  to  mention  that  in  the 
course  of  this  time  Mr  Bruen  visited  Sir  Walter 
Scott  whose  house  was  then  thronged  as  it  still  is, 
by  the  intelligent  and   curious  of  many  lands. 

Dr  Mason  overtook  Mr  Bruen  in  the  second  week 
of  September,  when  they  passed  a  few  days  in  Edin- 
burgh together,  during  which  time  they  visited  Profes- 
sor Leslie,  Francis  Jeffrey,  and  Dr  Brewster,  Editor 
of  the  Edinburg  Encyclopedia.  They  had  previously 
formed  acquaintance  with  the  Rev  Sir  Henry  Mon- 
creifF,  Dr  Chalmers,  Dr  Hall,  and  most  of  the  respec- 
table clergymen  of  various  denominations  in  the  city. 
After  passing  a  short  time  in  those  adieus  which  to 
hearts  like  theirs  are  always  touching,  they  returned 
to  Kelso,  where  they  together  lingered  their  last  days 
in  Scotland; — days  fraught  w4th  spiritual  improve- 
ment, and  affecting  because  they  included  the  prayers 


MATTHIAS    BRUEIf.  2fl( 

and  parting   blessings  of  Dr  Mason,   on  the  family 
whom  he  honoured  with  his  regard. 


To    his    Brother. 
New  Castle-upon-Tyne,  Sept.  22d,  1817. 

"I  cannot  permit  Dr  Mason  to  leave  me  without 
sending  you  a  line  later  than  any  I  have  written, 
therefore,  though  it  be  past  midnight,  I  snatch  a  min- 
ute to  tell  you  that  I  am  in  very  good  health,  in  very 
bad  spirits,  with  a  heart  desolated  more  perhaps  than 
is  right  by  the  farewells  which  have  been  crowded 
into  this  day.  Dr  Mason  came  from  Edinburgh  last 
Saturday  and  spent  the  sabbath  with  me  at  my  home 
— the  Manse,  which  we  left  this  morning.  I  have  ac- 
quired at  Kelso  at  least  one  of  the  kindest  friends,  which, 
so  long  as  sin  is  in  this  world,  we  can  hope  God  will 
give  us  to  comfort  us  in  our  state  of  pilgrimage.  The 
current  of  my  feelings  at  leaving  Kelso  has  been  rous- 
ed and  driven  forward  with  an  impetuosity  similar  to 
that  which  fixed  the  14th  of  July,  1816,  forever  in  my 
remembrance ;  and  now  a  few  hours  will  leave  me 
utterly  alone,  yet  not  alone.  Oh,  that  I  may  by  faith 
perceive  the  continual  presence  of  the  Mediator,  the 
Advocate,  the  Comforter. 

There  are  pleasures  to  be  found  in  travelling  which 
cannot  be  enjoyed  at  home,  but  there  are  pungent 
sorrows  too.  ****## 

I  have  a  new  pledge  my  dear  Brother,  that  He  in- 
tends good  to  me,  that  the  prayers  of  my  friends  at 


30  MEMOIRS   OF 

Kelso  are  added  to  those  at  New  York,  for  my  pre- 
servation— preservation  not  only  from  temporal,  but 
from  spiritual  and  eternal  dangers.  Oh,  if  we  believed 
God's  promise,  how  should  we  prize  above  the  gold  of 
Ophir,  the  prayer  of  one  soul  which  has  been  cleansed 
by  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  to  offer  up  an  acceptable 
offering.  I  do  prize  those  prayers.  The  Lord  bless 
and  keep  you  all,  and  make  the  light  of  his  countenance 
to  shine  upon  you,  and  give  you  peace  always." 

We  introduce  here  also  his  first  letter  to  Scotland 
after  quitting  it,  which  was  addressed  to  the  friend 
with  whom  he  had  recently  resided. 

To  the  Rev.  Mr  L . 


Gainsborough,  Sept.  24th,  1817. 
My  very  dear  friend, 
"Now  that  I  have  fairly  seated  myself,  I  begin  to  fear 
that  you  will  think  your  kindness  has  treasured  up 
trials  for  your  patience,  since  I  begin  to  write  when 
it  is  only  Wednesday  evening.  But  in  truth  I  have 
lived  so  much  within  these  last  two  days  and  a 
half,  that  it  seems  as  if  a  week  at  least  had  gone 
by.  My  very  mournful  adieus,  were  crowded  into 
the  day  that  I  left  my  home  at  the  Manse,  for  Dr  M. 
set  out  from  Newcastle  the  next  morning  for  Leeds, 
(not  by  York.)  I  happily  had  no  more  formal  parting 
with  him,  as  when  he  went  to  bed,  I  thought  to  have 
seen  him  in  the  morning,  but  afterwards  most  wisely 
sent  him  my  farewell  by  E .  The  ideas  of  home,  of 


MATTHIAS    nRUEX.  31 

the  solitariness  of  my  situation  after  his  departure,  and 
of  the  multitude  of  unknown  circumstances  before  me, 
completely  overpowered  me,  and  after  writing  a  hasty 
letter  to  my  brother,  I  fairly  yielded  to  their  influence. 
I  found  the  bed  a  better  rehef  than  the  precepts  of 
stoical  philosophy,  and  a  second  nap  after  the  coach 
rolled  aw^ay  with  my  friends  towards  my  home  and 
country  and  kindred,  restored  the  tone  of  my  feelings 
sufficiently  to  enable  me  to  hasten  away  by  the  Sun- 
derland coach.  Thence  I  took  the  mail  to  York,  there 
being  none  to  Hull.  I  then  resolved  not  to  go  to  Hull 
at  all,  and  I  find  myself  to  have  been  very  fortunate, 
for  it  would  have  taken  me  quite  out  of  the  way,  as 
there  is  not  even  a  conveyance  from  Hull  to  Lincoln. 
In  remuneration  for  the  tragedy  of  monday,  my  good 
or  evil  genius  threw  in  my  way  what  is  comedy  to 
many  persons,  even  the  far-famed  Doncaster  Races.  I 
arrived  from  York  at  half  past  tw^elve,  an  hour  before 
they  began,  and  proceeded  forthwith  to  represent 
"  Les  Etats  Unis  et  ses  proposans,"*  upon  the  Turf. 
Since  it  is  necessary  for  a  philosophical  traveller  to 
journey  w4th  his  eyes  open,  I  would  not  let  such  an 
opportunity  escape  of  seeing  so  fair  a  specimen  of 
English  manners.  The  whole  business  interested  and 
gratified  me  far  less  than  I  had  expected.  There  were 
many  very  splendid  equipages  on  the  ground,  and  the 


♦  When  Mr  Bruen  was  at  Geneva  in  the  spring,  he  dined  with  the  Consistory 
there,  and  they  to  do  him  honor  as  a  candidate  for  the  Church  in  America  gave 
aa  a  toast  "Lea  Etata  Unis  et  scs  proposans." 


32  MEMOIRS   OF 

town  was  amazingly  full  of "  legs "  of  all  sorts  and 
colours.      It  would  interest  you  less  in  the  hearing 
than  it  did  me  in  the  seeing  that  "  Duchess  "  took  one 
of  the  plates  without  competition,  or  that  Whitelocke 
the    favourite   has   lamentably   disappointed   all   the 
knowing  ones.     The  thing  which  struck  me  most  was 
the  earnest  buzz  of  anxious  expectation,  which  proceed- 
ed from  the  many  thousands  as  the  horses  approach- 
ed the  winning  post.     Oh,  how  little  does  it  take  to  set 
the  world  agape.      The  appearance  of  Alexander  or 
Bonaparte  could  have  done  no  more  than  "  my  lady 
Duchess"  effected  by  showing  herself.      Surely  we 
might  learn  to  despise  this  world.     Was  it  the  ambition 
to  be  objects  of  such  admiration  that  caused  the  battles 
of  the  Granicus  or  Waterloo  ?     But  I  do  not  intend 
to  moralize  upon  a  race  course,  else  I  should  take  a 
higher  tone  with  those  who  pretend  to  believe  that 
Whitelocke's  soul  is  more  perishable  than  his  rider's. 
I  have  now  only  to  see  an  election  and  a  boxing  match 
to  be  aufait  in  respect  to  the  pastimes  of  this  "  most 
thinking  nation." 

"  I  am  here  for  the  night  on  my  way  to  Lincoln's 
Cathedral,  (twenty  two  miles)  whence  I  go  to  Newark, 
which  place  I  must  examine  in  honor  of  my  birth  place 
in  New  Jersey.  The  grounds  about  Belvoir  Castle 
must  be  worth  seeing ;  after  which  Burleigh  House, 
and  Hatfield  House,  and  whatever  else  be  on  the  road, 
will  not  detain  me  long  in  my  way  to  London.  You 
see  me  safely  so  far,  with  only  the  common  events  of 


MATTHIAS    BRUEIf. 


travelling,  such  as  being  driven  at  full  gallop  round 
quick  turns  by  a  coachman  most  obstreperously  drunk 
in  honor  of  his  having  gained  a  wager  at  the  Races, 
though  more  than  fifty  miles  from  the  scene  of  moral 
amusement, — or  being  obliged  to  dress  while  the 
coach,  ready  to  start  ten  minutes  after  the  hour  fixed, 
waits  the  presence  of  a  sleepy  passenger,  or — but 
you  are  not  making  a  catalogue  of  miseries. 

"  After  half  a  sheet  of  nonsense,  I  ought  to  give  you 
something  better  if  I  can.      There  was  mainly  one 
idea  which  operated  on  my  mind  during  what  I  have 
seen  to-day ;  it  was,   how  is  this  to   fit  me  for   the 
peculiar     duties    of  my  sacred    profession?      How 
many  circumstances  of  temptation,  how  many  situa- 
tions calculated  to  make  me  forget  God  and  my  duty 
are  necessarily  before  me !    What  if  I  shall  become 
hardened  through  the  deceitfulness  of  sin?    You,  my 
dear  friend,  can  imagine   how  my   soul  is  burdened 
with  such  fears,  not  unreasonable  fears.     Truly  God 
knoweth  the  time  of  our  necessity,  and  if  he  had  not 
provided  for  me   a  refuge  in  your  most  kind  family, 
I  know  not  what  sevenfold    hardness    might  have 
gathered  round  my  heart.    With  my  most  sincere 
thanksgiving  to  Him  for  it,  I  pray  continually  that  He 
would  pour  into  your  bosoms  his  abundant  blessings. 
"  I  cannot  doubt  but  that  in  present  circumstances 
I  am  in  the  way  of  my  duty  in  seeing  what  I  can, 
and  my  ruminations  as    to  a  place,   have  led    me 
with  a  good  deal  of  force  to  the  idea  that  I  shall 


34  MEMOIRS   OF 

go  into  Italy  this  winter  for  a  little  time ;  but  I  will 
resolve  on  nothing  definitely  until  1  get  to  Geneva. 
As  I  have  several  acquaintances  whom  I  must  see, 
I  shall  not  be  able  to  leave  London  before  three  or 
four  days,  but  I  hope  I  shall  not  be  longer  there. 
May  I  expect  a  letter  from  you  and  one  from  my 
dear  sister  Mary,  to  whom  I  would  seize  every  oppor- 
tunity of  offering  the  assurance  of  my  most  respectful 
and  kindest  recollections. 

Remember  me  especially  upon  the  occasions  on 
which  you  promised  more  particularly  to  seek  for  me 
what  is  so  needful  for  us  all,  and  believe  me,  with  the 

most  affectionate  respect. 

Yours, 

M.  Bruen. 
Was    the  poet   of  the  Border  at    the    Ednam 
festivities'?" 

From  the  multiplied  instances  of  Mr  Bruen*s  con- 
scientious solicitude  to  ascertain  the  line  of  duty  and 
to  pursue  it  scrupulously,  the  following  is  selected.  It 
is  taken  from  a  letter  which  forms  one  of  the  earliest 
productions  of  a  correspondence  which  was  sustained 
with  confiding  sincerity  and  undeviating  perseverance, 
till  the  last  week  of  his  precious  time  on  earth. 

London,  September  30th,  1817. 
"  The  tone  of  my  feelings  has  been  lowered  by  an 
innocent  remark  of  a  friend  here.    "  He  came  from 
home  just  when  he  had  collected  all  the  instruments  of 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  li 

usefulness,  and  now  goes  to  let  them  rust  in  France 
and  Italy."  Am  I  in  the  path  of  duty?  That  is  the  one 
great  question.  In  that  day  when  God  shall  judge  the 
world  by  Jesus  Christ,  will  it  be  answer  sufficient  for 
the  use  of  my  time  ?  "  He  left  ofTpreaching  the  gospel 
to  go  and  see  St.  Peters',  and  the  place  where  satan's 
seat  is."  Oh,  I  had  rather  be  with  you  at  the  sick 
man's  couch — but  this  cannot  be.  I  am  now  in  a 
course  which  I  cannot  decide  not  to  be  the  course  of 
duty.  We  shall  know  in  that  day.  Meanwhile  if  I 
have  erred,  pray  for  me  that  my  sins  may  be  pardon- 
ed, and  while  I  suffer  loss,  I  be  not  lost." 

Hatcham  House,  October  5th,  1817. 
My  dear  Father, 

"I  would  occupy  what  remains  of  the  sabbath  in 
writing  to  you.  It  is  probably  the  last  I  shall  for  some 
time  enjoy  in  England,  and  I  was  glad  that  the  most 
affecting  and  solemn  of  all  our  sabbath  employments 
should  fall  to  the  lot  of  this  day.  Having  had  an  op- 
portunity of  commemorating  that  great  event  by 
which  sinners  obtain  pardon  and  life  and  peace,  1 
hope  to  go  on  my  way  with  more  strength  to  resist 
temptation,  more  faith  in  the  divine  promise,  and  to 
be  more  in  prayer  for  the  divine  blessing.  If  the  res- 
olutions which  we  are  apt  to  make  in  such  solemn 
circumstances  were  made  less  in  our  own  strength, 
we  might  expect  more  of  the  influence  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  quicken  within  us  what  is  sluggish,  to  destroy 


36  MEMOIRS    OF 

what  is  perverse,  and  evil,  and  to  make  us  to  shoot 
upward  in  a  rapid  growth  towards  heaven.    Far  from 
home,  I  often  find  myself  very  deeply  affected  when  I 
join  with  brethren  who  have  the  same  hopes  and  fears, 
joys  and  sorrows,  in  duties  which  cannot  fail  to  recall 
to  my  mind  former  times,  when  with  my  dear  parents, 
and  brothers,  and  sisters,  I  went  up  to  the  house  of 
God  in  company.     It  would  prove   me  very  much 
hardened  indeed,  if  I  were  insensible  to  the  many  evil 
effects  of  travelling,  especially  as  it  breaks  in  upon 
our  habits  of  devotion,  and  by  presenting  a  multiplici- 
ty of  novel  objects,  weakens  our  sense  of  the  Divine 
Presence.    But  by  the  abundant  kindness  of  our  mer- 
ciful Father,  I  hope  that  this  will  be  counteracted  by 
times  of  refreshing  from  his  own  presence.     Among 
many  things  which  excite  my  feehngs  there  is  nothing 
which  does  it  so  effectually  as  the  song  of  praise.     Is 
it  so  with  you  my  Father  ?     I   scarcely  ever  hear 
it  without  emotion,  and  often  it   affects   me  quite 
to  tears.     This  effect  is  increased  when  I  sit  down  in 
the  foreign  churches.    When  I  was  first  present  at 
Paris  at  the  protestant  worship,  and  heard  those  sing 
God's  praises  whose  ancestors  in  that  profane  city 
bled  for  his  truth,  I  could  not  fail  to  experience  it.    In 
Geneva  when  I  worshipped  where  Calvin,  with  divine 
eloquence,  had  spoken  of  the  wondrous  things  of  God, 
the  sound  of  so  many  voices  ascribing  salvation,  and 
honor,  and  glory,  unto  Him  that  sitteth  on  the  throne 
and  to  the  Lamb,  struck  my  heart  with  new,  and  high 


MATTHIAS    BRUEX.  W 

sentiments.  I  cannot  but  know  that  I  shall  derive 
from  my  foreign  travels  much  less  benefit  than  my 
advantages  authorize  you  to  expect.   *        *        * 

I  have  enjoyed  many  moments  of  exquisite  feeling 
which  I  could  not  have  known  elsewhere.  But  lest  I 
fill  up  this  sheet  with  things  about  myself,  I  must 
express  my  hope  that  you  are  continually  aspiring, 
myTather  after  a  settled,  calm  and,  elevating  convic- 
tion of  an  interest  in  the  inheritance  on  high.  To 
those  who  are  reconciled  to  God  through  the  blood  of 
his  Son  is  the  word  of  God  given,  "  rejoice  always, 
and  again  I  say  rejoice."  We  ought  not  to  let  our 
efforts  be  paralyzed  by  unbelief,  but  should  feed  on  the 
divine,  inexhaustible  promises  of  eternal  riches  and 
heavenly  consolations,  and  having  been  once  enabled 
to  say,  I  know  in  whom  I  have  believed,  to  stand  firm 
at  that  point,  and  not  to  let  Satan  push  off  our  feet 
from  the  rock  of  our  salvation.  Though  they  are  but 
now  and  then,  I  have  had  some  sweet  views  of  that 
heavenly  country  towards  which  every  hour  brings 
us  nearer.  My  hopes  are  nurtured  with  more  delight 
from  the  idea  of  meeting  you  there ;  and  I  sometimes 
exclaim.  Yes,  my  dear  parents,  though  we  shall  leave 
our  bodies  in  the  earth  we  shall  walk  together  in  the 
regions  above  the  stars,  and  together  enjoy  the  pure 
worship  and  presence  of  our  heavenly  Father.  Our 
feet  shall  stand  within  thy  walls,  0  Jerusalem.  I  pray 
that  the  richest  blessings  of  divine  consolation  may  be 
poured  into  your's  and  my  mother's  bosom." 


38  MEMOIRS   OF 


CHAPTER    IV. 

Paris,  October  12th,  1817. 
**  One  week  has  elapsed  from  this  date,  since  I  en- 
joyed what  may  be  the  last  occasion  for  many  months 
of  setting  my  seal  to  the  voluntary  promise  of  being 
for  the  Lord  and  none  else.     I  came  to  the  place  with 
a  heart  surcharged  with  feeling.     How  much  of  it 
was  genuine,  how  much  induced  by  Him  who  seeth 
not  as  man  seeth,  I  know  not.     But  I  was  to  hear  one 
whose  voice  had  often  dwelt  upon  your  ear,  and  whose 
instructions  had  reached  to  your  soul ;  I  was  to  hear 
him  upon  the  eve  of  my  pilgrimage,  while  my  feet 
were  very  near  in  the  mire  where  there  is  no  standing. 
With  my  previous  meditations  it  required  very  little 
to  excite  me.     I  heard  Mr  Clayton  with  the  greatest 
pleasure.     A  sincere  servant  of  Jesus  Christ,  he  knows, 
loves,  and  preaches  the  truth.      Except  at  Kelso  I 
have  seldom  enjoyed  a  season  of  so  much  apparently 
pious  feehng ;  but  how  little  of  my  best  feelings  are 
sound  at  the  root !     I  could  use  scripture  language, 
and  the  phrases  of  believers,  and  all  with  truth ;  but 
yet  you  would  misunderstand  me  and  give  me  credit 
as  you  always  do,  far  beyond  my  deservings.     I  will 
leave  the  history  of  what  was,  and  speak  of  what  is. 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  SO 

From  such  society  one  week  has  removed  me  to 
Paris.  To  this  city  enveloped  in  profound  midnight, 
where  the  mass  of  immortal  spirits  so  lie  in  the  death 
of  sin,  that  the  voice  heard  in  her  streets  is  that  of 
blasphemy  or  of  profane  exultation.  And  is  there  a 
God  who  sees  this,  and  are  these  men  or  brutes? 
Must  not  the  christian's  heart  exclaim, — *  0  that  my 
eyes  were  fountains  of  tears,  that  I  might  weep  for 
the  sins  of  my  people!'  Alas  poor  human  nature! 
*How  art  thou  fallen  from  heaven,  O  Lucifer  son  of 
the  morning ! ' " 

Mr  Bruen  at  one  time  purposed  to  have  passed  the 
winter  in  study  at  Utrecht.  The  succeeding  sentence 
shows  the  reason  of  his  changing  that  plan.  "  I  am 
thoroughly  satisfied  that  I  am  right  in  going  to  Italy. 
Though  health  has  been  but  a  secondary,  it  is  still  an 
important  object  of  my  journey,  and  I  am  convinced 
that  a  winter  in  Holland  would  have  been  highly  dan- 
gerous."       #        #        * 

"  For  the  amusement  of  this  kingdom,  and  the  in- 
struction of  all  vile  revolutionists,  we  had  played  yes- 
terday, October  17th — through  the  realm,  the  farce  of 
a  service  solemn  and  annual  for  the  repose  of  the  soul 
of  Marie  Antoinette,  of  doubtful  memory.  The  get 
ting  up  of  this  show  has  the  double  effect  of  expiating 
the  sin  which  rests  on  the  French  nation,  and  of  pour- 
ing cold  water  on  her  suilcrings  in  purgatory.  The 
several  churches  were  dressed  in  black.  In  Notre 
Dame  it  was  rather  grand,  for  the  whole  of  the  back 


40  MEMOIRS   OF 

of  the  church,  having  the  windows  closed,  was  darkly 
illuminated,  and  the  pomp  of  high  mass,  combined 
with  the  music  in  such  a  place,  could  not  fail  to  pro- 
duce some  little  effect  on  my  infidel  imagination.  A 
perverse  ingenuity  seems  to  be  exercised  to  keep  up 
these  things  which  had  better  be  forgotten,  since  the 
remembrance  of  them  only  serves  to  irritate.  As  to 
compunction  no  human  being  feels  it.  Paris  pleases 
and  displeases  me  just  as  it  used  to  do ;  that  is  to  say, 
there  is  no  one  thing  on  which  my  heart  rests  with 
satisfaction.  Sometimes  je  suis  un  peu  egare  by  its 
magnificence,  but  there  are  too  many  abominable 
things  in  the  very  spot  of  the  enchantment,  to  permit 
it  to  last." 

October  20th. 
"  In  carrying  on  the  history  of  myself,  1  have  to  tell 

you  that  my  friend  H had  the  virtue  to  propose, 

and  I  had  the  virtue  not  to  resist,  but  to  carry  into 
effect,  the  design  of  having  public  worship  here  in  our 
apartments  last  night.  We  accordingly  sent  out  our 
invitations  among  the  few  American  families  and 
young  men  here.  I  read  the  scriptures,  prayed,  and 
preached  a  sermon,  which  my  friend  as  well  as  myself 
thinks  applicable  to  the  poor  sinners  who  are  found 
wandering  here.  The  text  "  0  Israel  thou  hast  de- 
stroyed thyself,  but  in  me  is  thy  help."  Madame 
PAmbassadrice,  her  son  and  the  Secretary  of 
Legation,  were  among  my  hearers.    This  was  like  a 


MEMOIRS  or  4^1^ 

christian  sabbath  even  in  Paris.  Next  day  after  dinner 
Mr  G.  accused  us  of  holding  a  conventicle  without  per- 
mission of  the  Police,  and  not  only  drawing  his  lady 
thither,  which,  as  she  is  not  officially  known  to  the  gov- 
ernment, is  no  great  matter,  but  actually  bringing  in 
the  Secretary,  whose  commission  has  been  recognised 
by  the  King.  Since  he  took  it  up  in  that  w^ay,  we  got 
promise  from  him  that  the  American  Eagle  should 
protect  religion  if  persecuted,  upon  condition,  how- 
ever, that  we  should  hold  our  conventicles  in  his  house, 
as  his  authority  extends  no  further.  We  hope  to  have 
a  similar  meeting  next  sabbath  evening,  and  I  set  out 
on  monday." 

London,  October  Gth,  1817. 
"I  have  not  yet  heard  from  Dr  Brewster*  nor  receiv- 
ed his  letters  for  Geneva,  which  I  should  be  glad  to 
have.  Though  exceedingly  well  introduced  there 
from  Mr  Gallatin's  acquaintance  and  others,  yet  it 
might  a  little  affirm  my  interest  at  Professor  Pictet's, 
the  first  man  there.  These  connections  are  valuable, 
as  I  rather  seek  to  throw  off  a  mere  theological  air ; 
not  as  you  know,  because  I  am  ashamed  of  the  cross 
of  Christ,  but  because  it  gives  great  additional  force 
when  a  man  gets  a  fair  opportunity  of  expressing  his 
opinion,  as  the  opinion  of  a  person  not  pledged  to  it  by 
his  profession." 


•  Dr  Brewster,  well  known  for  his  scientific  research,  and  as  editor  of  the 
Edinburg  Encyclopedia. 


42  MEMOIRS   OP 

The  letters  of  Mr  Bruen  during  his  journey  through 
Switzerland,  Italy,  the  Tyrol,  and  a  part  of  Germany 
and  Holland,  were  very  interesting  to  his  friends,  but 
as  they  are  descriptive  chiefly  of  a  beaten  track,  which 
is  delineated  in  a  multitude  of  tours,  and  as  he  himself 
published  some  brief  sketches  from  his  Journal  three 
years  after ;  it  is  more  valuable  to  trace  his  individual 
character  and  pursuits  than  his  descriptions.      The 
young  heart,  which  in  the  leisure  of  early  life  swells 
with  classical  enthusiasm,  and  dreams  of  Elysian  joys 
in  treading  the  site  of  the  Forum,  and  measuring  the 
solitudes  of  the  CoHseum,  calculates  not  the  long  and 
lonely  hours  of  journeying,  the  keen  disappointments 
arising  from  the  failure  of  the  post,  the  pining  for  the 
sight  of  a  responsive  countenance,  the  maladie  du  pays 
which  will  assail  him,  in  the  very  moment  of  accom- 
pUshing  his  wishes.    What  is  man?    "A  pendulum 
between  a  smile  and  a  tear  " — "A  being  of  large  anti- 
cipations, and  small  achievements — of  insatiable  de- 
sires and  limited  capacities."     Such  were  the  thoughts 
often  suggested  by  the  emotions  depicted  by  our  be- 
loved friend  during  his  progress,  as,  for  example,  his 
first  letter  from  Rome. 

Rome,  December  18th,  1817. 

"  And  this  is  Rome !  the  birth  place  of  the  greatest 

orators,   statesmen,  poets  and  warriors  of  antiquity! 

I  find  myself  at  length  within  the  circuit  of  the  seven 

hills,  and  the  walls  of  the  imperial  city.    And  this  is 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  W 

Rome ! — ^whose  soil  was  coloured  with  the  blood  of  the 
saints  of  the  most  high  God.  Here  Paul  preached  and 
made  converts  even  in  Ca)sar's  household.  And  this 
is  Rome !  the  mother  of  a  degrading  superstition,  &c. 

Still,  my  impatience  to  receive  my  letters  before  I 
got  here  arose  almost  to  a  passion,  for  I  had  had  none 
from  home  since  I  left  London :  so  that  I  was  often 
tempted  to  leave  bridges,  aqueducts,  statues,  triumphal 
arches,  temples  and  paintings,  to  take  the  Courier  and 
travel  day  and  night  to  Rome.  I  am  now  very  glad 
I  did  not ;  I  have  seen  every  thing,  and  when  I  turn 
my  face  once  more  to  the  north,  it  will  be  with  the 
prospect  of  presently  reaching  my  home." 

The  following  letter  evinces  Mr  B's  fraternal  love 
and  his  close  sympathy  with  feelings,  which  distance 
seem.ed  rather  to  strengthen  than  enfeeble. 

Rome,  December  20th,  1817. 

My  Dear  A , 

"Our  sister  will  explain  to  you  why  you  have  so 
small  a  letter.  Among  the  many  other  things  which 
I  want  to  say  to  you,  this  is  the  principal,  to  urge  you 
to  be  very  industrious  in  your  studies.  I  often  think 
of  you,  and  sometimes  very  much  fear  that  when  I 
return  I  shall  be  disappointed  in  yoiu'  progress.  What 
do  you  think  of  my  sitting  down  at  table  at  my  friend's 
house  in  Geneva,  with  his  little  son  six  years  old,  who 
not  only  knew  the  name  of  every  thing  he  wanted  in 


44  MEMOIRS   OP 

Latin,  but  could  sustain  a  conversation  in  that  lan- 
guage ?  Now  as  I  know  you  have  as  good  talents  as 
any  boy,  it  is  a  crime  against  Him  who  has  given 
them,  not  to  use  them.  Though  you  are  not  very  old 
you  can  understand  the  force  of  this  reasoning.  I  ex- 
pect that  you  will  be  very  studious,  and  as  you  have 
begun  Latin  late,  that  you  will  get  on  so  much  the 
faster.  Of  the  little  boy  of  whom  i  have  just  spoken, 
it  may  amuse  you  to  hear  that  when  Dr  Mason  and 
myself  had  engaged  to  dine  with  his  father,  he  was 
told,  as  of  something  extraordinary,  that  two  Ameri- 
cans were  to  be  there.  His  first  exclamation  upon 
seeing  us  was — " Americani  ? — non  sunt  cum  plumis.** 
He  had  no  other  idea  of  Americans  than  what  he  had 
derived  from  some  prints,  and  therefore  very  natural- 
ly expected  to  see  us  in  the  feathers  and  fantastic 
garb  of  the  Indians. 

You  know  that  Latin  was  the  language  of  the  peo- 
ple who  formerly  inhabited  the  country  from  whence 
I  write  to  you — that  in  the  history  of  that  people, 
which  you  will  soon  begin  to  read  and  study,  are  re- 
corded the  noblest  actions  in  the  most  eloquent  man- 
ner. To  read  of  these  actions  will  give  you  the  high- 
est pleasure,  and  to  be  acquainted  with  their  historians 
will  cultivate  your  understanding  and  be  a  continual 
source  of  enjoyment  through  your  life.  You  can- 
not at  present  comprehend  the  full  value  of  this  study, 
but  a  few  years  will  open  it  to  you ;  and  it  is  not  out 
of  place,-— though  you    are   young,  for  me   to    en- 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  45 

courage  you  to  it,  since  I  am  very  near  the  spot 
where  the  fable  says  that  the  wolf  suckled  Romulus 
and  Remus,  and  but  a  few  hundred  yards  from  the 
Quirinal  mount  whence  they  pretended  the  former 
ascended  to  heaven.  But  what  is  much  better,  here 
our  true  religion  obtained  some  of  its  noblest  victories, 
and  after  many  holy  men  had  been  thrown  into  dens 
as  food  for  wild  beasts,  or  had  been  burned  in  the  fire, 
the  inhabitants  of  this  city  and  the  Emperor  of  Rome 
became  christians  and  sent  out  those  missionaries 
who  spread  the  light  of  the  gospel  to  the  furthest 
bounds  of  Britain.  We  have  now  this  light.  Among 
all  your  studies  it  is  my  sincere  prayer,  that  as  your 
faculties  advance,  you  may  understand  more  and  more 
of  this  divine  religion, — live  by  its  commands,  and 
be  prepared  to  die  in  its  consolations,  whether  that 
happen  when  you  are  very  young  or  in  more  mature 
age.  Nothing  can  make  you  truly  happy  but  religion. 
You  read  in  your  Bible  "  them  that  honor  me  I  will 
honor,"  "they  that  seek  me  early  shall  find  me." — 
There  are  many  gracious  encouragements  to  early 
piety.  I  hope  you  attend  to  your  stated  prayers 
night  and  morning,  and  are  not  wanting  in  religious 
impressions  and  feelings,  and  that  you  may  by 
their  influence  be  enabled  to  escape  the  sins  into 
which  you  must  see  many  of  your  school-fellows  fall. 
Remember  God  looks  into  the  heart,  and  knows  all 
our  thoughts — all  our  desires.  We  ought  then  to  be 
deeply  affected  when  we  observe  how  many  bad  wish- 


46  MEMOIRS   OF 

es  pass  through  our  minds.  This  my  dear  Brother 
should  be  one  of  your  first  ideas,  that  you  may  be 
sensible  you  are  a  sinner,  and  young  as  you  are,  in 
great  need  of  a  Saviour.  Take  great  care  of  your 
associates  and  do  not  choose  as  your  friends  the  boys 
you  see  guilty  of  misconduct.  Be  very  dutiful  and 
affectionate  to  our  parents,  and  do  not  forget 
Your  dear  brother, 

Matthias." 

Rome,  March  2d,  1818. 

My  dear  Father, 

,  "I  arrived  here  yesterday  morning  from  Naples,  and 
received  to-day  your  letters.  By  the  kindness  of  our 
God  you  were  all  well  on  the  25th  of  November. 
While  my  heart  in  all  its  solitary  musings  rests  on  the 
idea  of  home,  every  message  from  that  source  of  kind 
affections  is  most  grateful  to  me.  You  look  forvirard 
with  pleasure  to  the  period  of  my  return  and  "begin 
to  measure  the  time."  I  too  consider  with  delight  the 
hour  when  I  shall  embrace  those  who  are  dearer  to 
me  than  all  the  world  beside.  You  are  reconciled 
to  the  separation  by  the  behef  that  it  will  "redound 
to  my  future  usefulness."  I  believe  it  will,  but  if  I 
have  learnt  any  thing  more  of  myself  than  I 
formerly  knew,  it  must  make  me  look  forward 
with  deep  anxiety  also ;  for,  am  I,  who  know  so  little 
what  it  is  to  live  in  the  world  as  not  of  the  world, 
to  be  called  to  direct  the  footsteps  of  others  in  the  way 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  4V 

of  eternal  life !  Am  I  indeed  to  deliver  a  message, 
upon  the  reception  or  rejection  of  which  depend  end- 
less consequences !  Am  I  to  minister  within  that  sa- 
cred circle  which  is  the  peculiar  object  of  the  divine 
regard! — That  which  predominates  in  my  natural 
character  is  indolence,  the  deadly  enemy  of  all  that  is 
great  and  good,  destructive  alike  of  what  might  benefit 
men  or  glorify  God.  There  is  but  one  cure  for  this, 
an  active  energetic  faith,  which  convinces  by  the  pow- 
er of  its  motives,  that  to  give  way  to  this  sinful  dis- 
position is  to  resist  the  grace  of  God,  and  to  treasure 
up  years  of  anguish.        ***** 

I  am  not  so  far  mortified  to  the  world  that  I 
could  tamely  submit  to  be  passed  by  with  indifTercncc, 
or  when  fairly  in  competition  to  have  others  preferred 
before  me;  yet  it  is  a  point  of  christian  duty  and 
attainment,  not  to  be  satisfied  with  our  own  medioc- 
rity, but  to  be  willing  that  others  should  surpass  us 
in  talent  or  usefulness,  "  according  to  the  measure  of 
the  gift  of  God."  While  there  are,  in  that  employment 
which  I  hope  will  be  the  occupation  of  my  life,  hopes 
of  indefinite  improvement  and  usefulness,  enough  to 
keep  any  man  upon  the  stretch  of  continual  exertion, 
yet  as  to  the  point  which  I  may  attain,  it  would  be 
foolish  arrogance  to  mark  it  high.  I  shall  ever  care- 
fully avoid  the  idea  of  competition.  That  man's  soul 
must  indeed  be  possessed  by  base  motives  who  can 
turn  the  pulpit  into  a  theatre  of  display,  or  an  arena 
for  attracting  admiration;  this  is  as  contemptible  as 


48  MEMOIRS   OF 

it  is  profane.  My  prayer  is  that  I  may  speak  publicly 
the  truth,  with  all  sincerity,  according  as  grace  may 
be  given  unto  me,  without  the  most  remote  thought  or 
care  of  how  this  may  merely  please  or  gain  the  good 
opinion  of  men.  But  others  will  make  comparisons, 
and  I  cannot  fail  to  be  the  subject  of  them,  according 
to  the  manner  in  which  our  churches  are  governed, 
which  I  believe  to  be  the  scriptural  manner.  These 
comparisons  must  often  be  disparaging  and  not  a  little 
likely  to  touch  my  feelings.  But  I  must  exert  myself 
to  reach  that  point  of  which  I  spoke  before — to  settle 
it  that  I  am  in  the  way  of  duty,  and  to  be  so  occupied 
with  a  sense  of  His  presence  who  filleth  heaven  and 
earth,  and  with  the  danger  of  men  who  have  sinned 
against  Him,  as  shall  make  me  to  work  continually, 
and  leave  me  no  time  or  desire  to  consider  whether 
my  petty  vanity  has  been  mortified,  or  whether  others 
are  esteemed  more  than  myself." 

He  went  so  far  south  as  to  look  into  the  horrible 
crater  of  Vesuvius,  the  most  sublime  natural  object  he 
saw  in  Europe. — "Went  to  Passtum,"  and  was,  as  he 
says  "neither  murdered  nor  maimed  between  Naples 
and  Rome."  On  his  return  he  says  "there  is  nothing 
like  the  delights  or  rather  the  enchantments  of  Tivoli 
in  the  world."  "His  Holiness  is  in  good  health,  and 
though  his  Eminence  the  Secretary  of  State,  the 
Cardinal  Gonsalvo  sent  me  his  card,  (he  is  a  man 
of  discernment  you  see,)  yet  I  do  not  intend  to  seek 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  W 

to  be   presented  to    the  Pope,    for  I  hope  that    Mr 

L does  not  so  much  wish  to  hear  what  he  says, 

as  to  make  that  necessary;  we  therefore  only  salute 
each  other  when  we  meet  in  our  evening  walks  near 
the  Coliseum."  Thus  cheerfully  did  he  write  from 
Rome  on  the  3d  of  March,  1818,  under  the  double 
influence  of  having  turned  his  face  homeward,  and  of 
having  received  a  large  packet  of  letters  on  his  re- 
turn from  Naples. 

Florence,  March  26th,  1818. 
My  dear  Brother, 

"I  have  taken  my  last  farewell  of  Rome  and  all 
its  magnificence,  and  am  now    fairly    hastening  to- 
wards the  termination  of  my  wanderings.     I  left  it 
on  the  evening  of  the  23d,  and  except  a  delay  of  a 
few    hours,    have  been  in    the  carriage    ever  since 
until  this  morning  before  day-break,  when  I  arrived 
here.     I  may  therefore  be  indulged  the  privilege  of 
being  very  thoroughly  tired;    and  in  much  need  of 
a  long  night's  sleep.     A  vessel  sails  the  day  after  to- 
morrow from  Leghorn,    and  I  have  an  opportunity 
of  sending  this  letter  to-night.     Though  I  had  seen 
every  thing  in  Rome  and  was  heartily  glad  to  leave 
it,  yet  with  the  pleasure  there  is  mingled  a  sort  of 
feeUng  I  never  experienced  in  bidding  adieu  to  any 
other  city.     There  is  so  much  more  to  leave  than  is 
to  be  found  collected  in  any  one  other  place,  so  many 
sources  of  intellectual  gratification,  so  many  recoUec- 


50  MEMOIRS  OP 

tions  continually  excited,  that  it  requires  the  delight- 
ful thoughts  of  my  own  country  to  overcome  my  re- 
gret.   It  is  not  easy  at  any  time  to  forsake  forever 
what  has  given  us  pleasure,  and  the  melancholy  feel- 
ing is  increased  when  we  know  that  the  objects  which 
have  delighted  us,  have  not  lost  the  power  of  contin- 
ually renewing  our  enjoyment.    It  was  with  a  very 
mingled  sort  of  feehng  that  I  took  my  last  view  of  the 
walls  of  Rome, — ^with  delight  at  the  prospect  before 
me,  and  the  melancholy  recollection  of  hours  of  en- 
joyment never  to  be  renewed.     It  was  on  an  evening 
such  as  we  have  sometimes  in  the  beginning  of  spring, 
that  I  passed  the  Porta  del  Popolo  and  the  Fonte  Mil- 
vio,  while  the  moon  rose  in  a  cloudless  sky  to  illumine 
the  deserted  campagna.     The  dome  of  St  Peter's  was 
for  many  miles  a  superb  object,  being  illuminated,  as 
it  was  the  anniversary  of  the  Pope's  coronation.    We 
had  this,  one  of  the  most  magnificent  spectacles  in  the 
world,  the  evening  before  also.      For  this  year  we 
have  seen  all  the  shows  combined  in  the  Holy  week, 
which  are  usually  exhibited  in  detail  at  intervals  of 
several  months,  much  to  the  annoyance  of  curious 
travellers.    The  illumination  of  the  dome  of  St  Peter's 
and  the  fire-works  at  the  Castle  of  St  Angelo,  did  not 
use  to  take  place  until  St  Peter's  day,  in  June;  but  there 
were  so  many  strangers  this  year  collected  from  all 
parts  of  the  world,  that  for  the  first  time  this  rule  was 
broken  through,  so  that  I  have  the  satisfaction  of  hav- 
ing seen  every  thing  that  the  Roman  Calendar  pre- 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  91 

scribes  for  the  year.  The  interior  illuminations  of 
St  Peter's  much  disappointed  me ;  they  call  it  a  mag- 
nificent idea  of  Michael  Angelo,  with  whom  it  seems 
every  thing  stupendous  must  originate ;  but  a  name 
of  much  less  magnitude  might  as  well  be  affixed  to  it. 
The  sight  is  well  enough,  but  the  effect  is  not  worth 
all  that  is  said  about  it.  But  the  exterior  illumination 
no  description  can  give  an  idea  of — beautiful  beyond 
conception — so  were  the  fire-works  at  the  Castle. 
The  whole  of  this  moles  Adriani  burst  forth  in  one 
volcano  of  rockets,  and  the  intermixture  of  the  roaring 
of  heavy  cannon,  gave  a  feeling  of  sublimity  which 
mere  fire-works  never  produce.  But  I  am  writing  in 
too  great  haste  to  tell  you  any  thing  about  the  cere- 
monies— I  have  seen  some  imposing — some,  if  the  dig- 
nity of  the  persons  who  acted,  be  separated  from  them, 
contemptible — and  some  contemptible  at  any  rate.  It 
is  a  satisfaction  to  have  seen  what  all  the  world  says 
is  the  finest  thing  in  the  world,  and  it  is  not  a  less  sat- 
isfaction to  be  on  the  road  towards  the  place  where 
we  have  together  enjoyed  hours  of  affection,  such  as 
my  fancy  in  her  kindliest  moments  pictures  as  about 
to  be  renewed  with  increased  happiness.'* 

He  passed  the  Holy  week  at  Rome,  at  the  close  of 
which  he  went  to  Venice.  While  there,  by  means  of 
a  letter  of  introduction,  he  received  from  Lord  Byron 
a  card,  inviting  him  to  visit  him.  Always  touched 
by  Lord  Byron's  poetry,  and  mourning  over  his  great 
but  unhappy  mind,  Mr  Bruen  had  found  in  him  an  ob- 


52  MEMOIRS   OF 

ject  of  lively  interest,  and  his  correspondent  was  on 
the  tip-toe  of  expectation  to  receive  his  description  of 
this  visit.  It  is  rather  disappointing  therefore,  to  find 
this  the  brief  but  pithy  expression  of  his  feelings — 
"  The  long  agony  is  over,  the  eventful  crisis  is  past, 
and  I  may  quietly  continue  my  travels."  After  writ- 
ing this,  his  letter  describes  his  previous  journey  from 
Rome  to  Florence,  and  thence  to  Venice.  The  scene 
displayed  in  ascending  the  Appenines  being  pecuHar, 
and  not  often  described  by  travellers,  may  be  inter- 
esting. "From  Taragona  we*  took  horses  to  ascend 
from  the  lovely  bay  of  Spezia.  There  is  this  grand 
peculiarity  in  the  physiognomy  of  the  country,  that 
the  mountains  extend  often  in  all  their  height  out  into 
the  ocean,  so  that  you  have  the  boldest  scenery  pos- 
sible. The  road  was  at  times  excessively  bad,  the 
ascents  and  descents  very  steep,  the  mules  sometimes 
not  good,  and  the  journey  very  fatiguing ;  but  we  had 
a  continual  source  of  admiration  in  the  scenes  by 
which  we  were  surrounded.  From  a  very  high  point 
of  the  Appenines  amidst  the  most  desolate  solitude,  as 
we  came  within  view  of  the  ocean,  I  treasure  its 
recollections  as  that,  the  memory  of  which,  is  fre- 
quently to  give  me  delight.  We  were  so  elevated 
that  the  clouds  floated  below  us.  Some  were  trans- 
parent,  some  black  and  heavy,  through  which  the 


*  This  part  of  the  Journey  was  made  in  company  with  some  of  his  intelligent 
and  inquisitive  countrymen. 


MATTHIAS    DRUEiV.  58 

sun  could  not  pierce.  I  never  before  saw  the  upper 
part  of  a  cloud  illuminated.  A  great  number  of 
vessels  were  sailing  in  every  direction,  the  distant 
ones  seemed  as  if  suspended  in  the  clouds.  A  lovely 
valley  was  at  our  feet,  with  a  few  small  villages  upon 
the  rocky  shore,  so  situated  that  if  picturesque 
position  alone  could  confer  happiness,  I  am  certain 
that  Abyssinia  could  not  furnish  such  another. 

Although  nothing  so  grand  offered  itself  afterwards, 
the  country  increased  in  romantic  loveliness,  and  we 
came  down  upon  the  sea  shore,  at  the  bay  of  Sestis, 
the  beauties  of  which  exceed  tenfold  the  famed  Baiae. 
I  cannot  pretend  to  describe  to  you  the  ravishing 
dehghts  of  the  spot;  do  not  think  me  mad,  though 
you  may  believe  the  view  transported  me.  I  must 
seem  to  talk  absurdly  to  you,  who  look  calmly  at  a 
distance  upon  my  journeyings,  but  you  must  pardon 
me,  as  I  shall  never  again  have  such  reason  for  being 
extravagant.  The  road  continued  all  the  way  to 
Genoa  across  the  ridges  of  the  mountains,  which 
are  every  where  covered  with  the  most  luxuriant 
vegetation,  and  whether  upon  their  summits  or  down 
in  the  vallies,  we  were  surrounded  by  little  white 
habitations,  all  as  clean  and  neat  as  those  of  England, 
and  looking  as  if  they  were  made  on  purpose  for  such 
a  gala-day  as  it  was  when  we  passed,  the  sun  shining 
out  in  the  first  of  the  spring  with  all  his  splendour, 
the  singing  of  the  birds,  and  the  magnificent  ocean 
expanded  before   us.      I  am  apt  to  think  that  the 


54  MEMOIRS  OF 

measure  of  human  happiness  is  not  only  more  equal 
than  is  generally  believed,  but  also  that  there  are 
such  reverses   in  our  lot  as  make  us  pay  for  our 
enjoyments ;  and  I  am  never  happy  without  feeling, 
perhaps  sinfully,  that  this  must  in  future  be  my  case. 
If  this  be  true,   and  if  an    equilibrium  must  be  kep- 
up,  I  shall  sometime  or  other  in  my  life  suffer  acutely. 
Genoa  is  well  styled  the  magnificent;  there  ar< 
parts  of  it  that  exceed  any  other  city  of  Italy.    T 
prove  how  far  the  season  is  advanced,  we  had  fin 
strawberries  there.      Another  more  important  fact 
still  for  the  world  at  large  is,  that  my  first  day  at 
Genoa  was  my  birth-day,  the  llth  of  April.     Oh !  the 
world  of  contradictions  that  are  contained  in  this  our 
little  being." 

Schaffhausen,  May  7th,  1818. 
My  dear  Brother, 

"Once  more  I  write  you  from  the  land  of  Tell,  and 
what  is  better,  yourself  being  judge,  the  land  of 
Zwingle  and  Calvin.  I  entered  Switzerland  with  joy, 
for  now  that  it  is  past  I  may  tell  you,  that  when  I 
was  last  within  its  Hmits  in  my  passage  to  Italy,  I  felt 
that  I  had  a  long  and  troublesome  journey  before  me, 
in  which  I  expected  to  find  much  to  gratify  me,  but 
nothing  to  love.  There  is  I  know  a  strong  besoin 
d^airner  in  my  constitution.  I  never  could  live 
happily  without  friends.  It  was  no  pleasant  prospect 
then  to  consider,  that  in  the  whole  course  of  my 


MATTHIAS    BRUEJf.  55 

journey,  there  was  not  one  human  being  I  was  to  see 
who  would  think  it  worth  his  while  to  care,  whether 
having  once  seen  me,  he  should  ever  see  me  again. 
In  this,  as  in  most  other  cases  when  I  take  a  notion 
to  look  on  the  dark  side  of  a  picture,  I  exaggerated 
the  circumstances,  and  I  found  many  in  my  course, 
who  would  much  rather  hear  of  my  good  than  evil 
fortune.  But  the  journey  is  done,  I  have  seen  all 
and  more  than  I  could  have  hoped  for,  with  great- 
er pleasure  and  less  pain.  I  have  given  some 
account  of  my  journey  to  Inspruck,  in  a  letter  to  my 
father,  which  accompanies  this.  The  salt  mines  in 
Italy  are  not  so  considerable,  though  of  the  same 
sort  as  those  so  famous  at  Saltzburgh,  which  is  about 
forty  leagues  to  the  east.  There  you  know  the  en- 
trance is  at  the  summit  of  the  mountain,  and  the  sortie 
at  the  foot.  I  felt  anxious  to  get  what  information  I 
could  upon  this  subject,  for  if  you  should  ever  execute 

your  plan  of  going  to  K ,  the  getting  an  interest 

in  the  works  there  and  improving  their  state,  or 
forming  new  ones  is  no  chimerical  notion  for  the 
obtaining  of  what  all  the  world  is  chasing,  many  at 
the  expense  of  their  necks,  and  more  at  the  expense 
of  their  souls — money.  The  utility  of  it,  however, 
I  shall  not  be  suspected  of  decrying,  as  long  as  my 
expense  book  is  by  me.  It  is  a  good  thing  if  we  do 
not  pay  too  dear  for  it.  But  "  gold  may  be  bought 
too  dear,"  and  health  and  friends  and  religion  are 
better  than  money.  #        #        #        *        * 


6G  MEMOIRS  OF 

Now  that  my  morale  is  done  I  will  continue  my 
history. 

The  travelling  in  most  parts  of  the  Tyrolese  Alps 
is  very  interesting,  the  country  exceedingly  romantic, 
and  the  people  different  from  any  other  in  Europe. 
They  are  the  most  picturesque  people  I  have  ever  seen. 
I  thought  to  have  arrived  in  Switzerland  without  pas- 
sing any  very  high  mountains,  but  we  crossed  the 
verge  of  the  Adlerberg  with  a  great  deal  of  trouble. 
In  many  places  the  snow  was  ten  feet  deep,  and  the 
passage  was  more  dangerous  than  that  of  the  Simplon 
in  November.  I  arrived  in  the  morning  at  Briquenty, 
and  came  forward  that  day  to  Constance,  by  the 
road  on  the  borders  of  the  lake.  The  lake  and  the 
country  around  are  very  beautiful,  but  are  far  ex- 
ceeded by  the  lake  of  Geneva.  Constance  is  an 
ancient  ugly  city,  with  very  little  commerce  or 
activity.  It  is  well  that  a  city  which  was  curst  by 
the  sitting  of  a  council  that  burnt  John  Huss,  should 
not  prosper.  I  went  to  the  council  chamber  where 
the  chairs  remain  in  statu  quo,  as  they  were  occupied 
by  the  Emperor  Sigismund,  the  Pope's  legate,  and  the 
cardinals.  I  went  also  to  the  field  where  the  great 
christian  martyr  received  his  crown.  Nothing  so 
rouses  my  sensibilities  as  the  remembrance  of  such 
heroism,  for  here  there  is  not  a  shadow  of  doubt  on 
the  history,  to  take  from  our  emotions  while  we  con- 
template the  sublime  picture  of  a  man  worn  down 
by  chains  and   imprisonment,    without  a  friend   to 


MATTHIAS    BRUKN.  57 

encourage  him,  save  that  One  who  is  in  heaven, 
daring  to  avow  before  Prelates  and  an  Emperor,  the 
faith  which  he  had  received.  Now  that  the  world 
has  undergone  its  revolution,  and  that  the  high 
reverence  for  authority  has  gone  by,  we  cannot  feel 
what  force  of  mind  it  must  have  required  for  a  man 
to  dare  to  decide  for  himself,  and  to  speak  it  before 
his  superiors.  But  it  was  not  mere  human  courage, 
but  divine  faith  that  met  and  subdued  such  obstacles. 
Yesterday  afternoon  I  left  Constance,  having  for- 
warded my  baggage  to  Zurich,  and  came  partly  on 
foot  to  this  place.  The  banks  of  the  Rhine  are  very 
beautiful,  and  excepting  the  difference  which  cultiva- 
tion, chateaux,  towers,  and  spires,  make  in  scenery,  a 
good  deal  like  what  we  saw  on  the  Ohio.  And  now 
you  want  to  know  about  the  famous  falls  of  the 
Rhine,  which  I  have  just  come  from  seeing.  To  begin 
then,  and  to  be  just.  It  is  a  fine  cataract.  The  country 
around  is  very  beautiful  and  I  see  it  at  a  season  of 
the  year,  and  in  such  weather  as  must  make  any 
scene  interesting.  But  then  on  the  other  hand,  its 
grandeur  is  excessively  exaggerated.  The  fall  is 
eighty  feet,  they  say — it  ceitainly  does  not  appear 
so  much.  As  you  know  in  comparison  of  Niagara, 
it  is  paltry;  the  fall  not  half  as  great,  the  river  not 
half  as  wide.  If  there  w^ere  no  fall  at  Niagara,  but 
only  those  rapids  between  the  island  and  the  shore 
as  far  as  the  edge  of  the  falls,  it  would  be  grander 
than  this.  I  go  to  Zurich  to-morrow,  either  on  foot 
or  a  part  of  the  way  on  the  river,  as  there  is  a  boat 


58  MEMOIRS   OF 

to  Eglisau.  Since  I  have  turned  my  face  homeward 
I  cannot  tell  you  with  what  delight  I  have  travelled. 
The  weather  is  generally  very  fine,  the  fruit  trees  all 
in  flower,  every  thing  in  its  vernal  beauty,  and  to 
crown  all,  I  am  going  home.  I  have  thought  it 
would  be  wrong  not  to  give  three  or  four  days  to 
Switzerland,  though  I  am  exceedingly  anxious  to 
get  your  letters  which  must  be  at  Strasbourg.  It 
frightens  me  to  think  how  long  it  is  since  I  have 
heard  from  you,  though  I  have  counted  the  days 
that  have  passed.  My  intention  is  to  go  from 
Zurich  to  Lucerne,  and  thence  to  Basle,  whence 
in  a  day  I  am  at  Strasbourg.  My  dear  brother,  I 
cannot  tell  you  how  my  heart  opens  when  I  think 
of  you  all,  still  so  far  away.  You  will  smile  when 
I  tell  you  that  I  sometimes  wrap  myself  in  your 
great  coat,  which  still  serves  me,  and  feel  the 
warmer  because  it  has  served  you  also.  Continue 
to  write;  if  this  letter  has  a  good  passage,  I  may 
yet  get  its  answer.  It  is  better  that  the  letters  should 
be  returned,  than  that  I  be  kept  anxiously  expecting 
them.  My  standing  P.  S.  therefore  is,  write  often. 
My  tenderest  affection  to  my  parents,  and  to  all  of 
you.  In  a  few  days  I  hope  to  write  you  again 
from  Strasbourg.  The  protection  of  the  Almighty 
has  hitherto  been  our  safeguard,  for  the  future  may 
I  pray  with  more  fervency,  that  he  will  continue  to 
be  our  shield  and  help. 

Love,  as  you  have  ever  done, 

Your  affectionate  M.  B. 


MATTHlAi    imUliJX.  51) 

Strasbourg,  May  15th,  1818. 

"I  catch  a  moment  before  dinner  to  write  this 
scrawl,  for  if  it  does  not  rain,  I  wish  to  go  five  miles 
or  more  to  see  a  Christian  of  Lissignol's  *  recom- 
mendation. *  *  #  May  16 — I  succeeded  after  a 
good  deal  of  trouble,  in  seeing  the  person  I  spoke  of. 
You  may  imagine  that  it  was  not  easy  to  find  a 
house  in  the  country,  two  leagues  off",  where  all  the 
people  talk  German.  But  such  is  my  wonderful 
talent,  that  in  my  course  from  Inspruck  hither,  I 
have  gathered  as  many  as  four  German  words,  and 
I  sport  my  nach,  and  von,  and  ja,  and  nein,  with  as 
much  confidence,  and  listen  to  a  long  answer,  when 
I  only  comprehend  the  gesture,  with  as  much  gravity 
as  Prof.  Sleusinehtingius  himself.  Though  I  did  not 
get  a  great  deal  of  information,  I  considered  myself 
well  paid  for  my  trouble,  for  I  found  an  Israelite  in- 
deed ;  and  though  my  time  was  very  short,  the  visit 
did  me  good." 

Mr.  Bruen  proceeded  northward  by  Cologne  to 
Utrecht,  where  he  designed  to  have  paused  for  a 
time;  but  that  purpose  was  changed  by  a  petition 
from  the  Scots  Presbyterian  Church  at  Amsterdam, 
who  requested  him  to  supply  their  church,  during 
the  absence  of  their  pastor  in  Scotland.  This  he  did 
for  three  sabbaths,  with  his  usual  anxiety  to  be  useful, 
and  characteristic  diffidence  of  his  own  success.     He 


•  A  protcstanl  pastor   in  Languedoc,  visited  the  year  before  by  Dr  Mason 
and  Mr  Bruen. 


;60  MEMOIRS  OF 

often  alluded  with  pleasure  to  the  intercourse  he  had 
while  resident  at  Amsterdam,  with  the  Rev  Charles 
Simeon,  of  Cambridge,  a  man  well  known  in  the 
Church  of  England,  for  his  devotional  spirit,  and 
for  his  happiness  in  turning  souls  to  true  repentance. 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  61 


CHAPTER    V. 

In  July  he  returned  to  London,  where  he  was 
again  welcomed  by  those  Christian  friends,  whose 
society  he  had  first  enjoyed  in  company  with  Dr 
Mason.  To  these  friends  he  had  made  some  im- 
portant additions  during  his  solitary  travels.  We 
find  him,  in  particular,  expressing  with  gratitude 
his  enjoyment  in  the  christian  conversation  of  Mr 
Drummond,  and  Lady  Harriet,  whom  he  had  met 
at  Rome.  In  August  he  left  London,  as  appears 
from  the  following  letter  to  his  father. 

Gloucester,  August  16th,  1818. 
My  very  dear  Father, 

"  It  is  sabbath  evening — another  week  has  passed, 
and  I  have  in  so  much  nearer  prospect  the  long 
desired  meeting  with  you,  and  the  return  of  those 
peaceful  hours  at  home,  where  I  have  more  per- 
fectly than  elsewhere  shut  out  the  world  from  my 
thoughts,  and  enjoyed  sacred  and  bright  visions  of 
immortality.  But  then  as  now,  I  have  found  my- 
self slow  of  heart  to  believe,  sluggish  in  the  cxcr- 


62  MEMOIRS   OF 

cise  of  christian  graces,  and  reluctant  to  draw  off 
my  affections  from  earth  and  its  perishing  trea- 
sures, though  commanded  to  do  so  by  Him  who 
offers  heaven  and  its  unfading  joys  in  their  place. 
How  little  experience  of  our  own  weakness  and 
wickedness  does  it  require,  to  oblige  us  to  testify 
that  we  serve  a  most  kind  and  long-suffering  Master, 
who  does  not  punish  us  as  we  deserve,  who  though 
we  forget  him,  does  not  forget  to  load  us  with  his 
benefits,  nor  permit  us  to  fulfil  the  evil  that  is  in 
our  hearts.  With  what  earnestness  should  we  pray 
that  our  affections  may  be  raised  to  so  high  a  point 
and  concentered  in  so  holy  an  object,  that  God  may 
have  all  our  love.  Alas !  we  profess  this ;  we  profess 
that  his  glory  is  our  aim ;  how  does  a  moment's 
thought  convict  us  of  hollow-heartedness  in  our 
professions.  But  it  is  better  to  turn  from  lamenta- 
tions over  ourselves,  to  earnest  devotion  and  prayer 
to  God,  that  we  may  be  made  what  we  ought  to 
be;  not  forgetting,  also,  thankfulness  to  him  who 
has  wrought  it  in  us,  if  we  are  willing  and  desirous 
to  have  our  feet  guided  into  the  paths  of  self-denial, 
holiness,  and  peace. 

God  seems  for  many  years  back  to  have  but  par- 
tially blessed — at  least  the  dignitaries — of  the  estab- 
lished church  of  this  Kingdom,  and  piety  has  been 
the  least  essential  article  in  the  character  of  a  Bishop. 
But  I  am  now  in  the  diocese  of  one  whose  elevation 
is  an  omen  of  peculiar  good  from  the  divine  Provi- 


MATTHIAS    BRUE?f.  63. 

dence.  His  labors,  apart  from  his  official  duties,  ex- 
ceed those  of  most  pastors ;  there  are  few  sabbaths 
on  which  he  does  not  preach  three  times,  and  it  is 
not  his  sole  care  to  bring  the  gospel  to  the  rich, 
but  in  work-houses,  alms-houses,  and  prisons,  and 
wherever  there  is  opportunity,  he  proclaims  the  un- 
searchable riches  of  Christ.  He  labors  not  only  on 
the  sabbath,  but  in  the  week,  from  village  to  village; 
and  besides  his  own  immediate  exertions,  is  careful 
to  get  young  men  who  are  evangeHcal,  and  who  will 
perform  their  duty  conscientiously,  to  fill  the  vacant 
churches.  You  know  something  already  of  his  name 
and  character ;  the  Bishop  of  Gloucester  is  brother  to 
the  Earl  of  Harrowby,  whose  speech,  seconding  the 
motion  made  by  our  minister  Mr  Rush,  at  the  B.  and 
F.  Bible  Society,  you  have  no  doubt  read. 

I  had  a  very  agreeable  visit  on  friday  last  to  Barley 
Wood,  the  seat  of  Mrs  Hannah  More.  It  is  eleven 
miles  from  Bristol,  in  a  beautiful  country,  and  one  of 
the  prettiest  places  I  ever  saw,  being  situated  on  the 
side  of  a  hill  in  the  midst  of  much  rich  and  varied 
scenery.  I  sent  up  my  letter  from  Mr  Simeon,  and 
was  immediately  received  with  much  attention.  Mrs 
More  is  now  about  seventy  two  years  of  age  and  in 
better  health  than  could  be  reasonably  expected.  She 
was  kind  enough  to  seem  anxious  that  I  should  stay  to 
dinner,  and  I  was  yielding  enough  to  remain  at  her 
solicitation.  No  writer  except  Mr  Wilberforce  has 
had  so  great  an  cficct  upon  the  higher  orders  of  so- 


64  MEMOIRS   OF 

ciety.  It  is  principally  by  means  of  her  works,  that 
it  has  become  not  a  flagrant  breach  of  all  fashion 
even  to  think  a  little  seriously  upon  religion.  Nor 
have  her  exertions  been  confined  to  this  rank;  for  her 
cheap  repository  tracts  are  v^orthy  of  all  commen- 
dation. Her  conversation  was  sufficiently  spirited 
and  lively,  without  any  thing  to  astonish  or  over- 
whelm one,  which  is  just  what  conversation  ought  to 
be.  She  has  too  much  acknowledged  talent  to  make 
it  necessary  for  her  to  exert  herself  to  show  off." 

Mr  B.  made  a  short  tour  in  Ireland,  and  returning 
to  Scotland,  was  joyfully  met  in  Dumfrieshire  by  his 
friends,  who  conducted  him  once  more  to  his  home 
in  Roxburghshire. 

Affection  lingers  with  fond  regret  over  those  pre- 
cious weeks,  when  Mr  B.  once  more  reposed  from 
the  hurry  of  the  world; — weeks  rich  in  intellectual 
and  christian  enjoyment — enjoyment  rendered  deeply 
affecting  because  each  hour  was  tinctured  with  the 
not  to  be  suppressed  thought,  that  it  was  passing,  and 
might  never  have  its  fellow  in  this  vale  of  tears. 
How  chastened  is  that  friendship  which  must  transfer 
its  hopes  of  future  personal  intercourse  to  another 
state  of  being.  How  sure  the  penalty  paid  in  such 
circumstances,  even  for  the  highest  moral  delights. 
How  vainly  during  the  last  days,  did  we  endeavour 
to  interest  ourselves  in  subjects  of  general  philanthro- 
py, or  in  our  own  future  plans  of  usefulness.  They 
were  not  to  be  accomplished,  if  ever  accomplished, 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  65 

but  in  stations  far  remote  from  each  other.  We 
exclaimed  with  Klopstock  in  sadness  of  heart — 

"Alas,  they  find  not  each  the  other;  they 

Whose  hearts  for  friendship,  and  for  love  were  made; 

Now  far  dividing  claims  forbid  to  meet, 

And  now  long  ages  roll  their  course  between." 

Though  we  strove  to  sustain  our  separation  by  the 
idea  that  we  should  meet  again  even  in  this  world, 
yet  it  was  only  by  an  act  of  resignation  that  we  could 
part  with  any  composure;  and  while  we  sorrowed 
most  of  all  lest  we  should  "see  his  face  no  more,"  we 
transferred  our  hopes  with  thankfulness  to  the  Eternal 
abode,  "where  no  enemy  can  ever  enter,  and  whence 
no  friend  shall  ever  depart." 

Manchester,  September  19th. 

"Alas!  my  dear  friend,  and  am  I  already  so  far 
from  you?  I  could  hardly  believe  this  painful  fact, 
that  on  thursday  evening  I  slept  at  the  distance  of 
seventy  miles  from  my  Scottish  home. 

It  happened  a  little  strangely  that  four  of  my  coun- 
trymen had  dropped  from  the  clouds  on  the  same 
coach  top  that  bore  me  from  you,  one  of  whom  was 
an  acquaintance  from  New  York,  so  that  I  was 
obliged  to  talk,  and  perhaps  that  was  as  good  as 
musing.  I  marked  the  road,  however,  and  remem- 
bered when  we  travelled  it  together,  and  recognised 
the  lake  where  we  saw  the  seafowl,  though  they  have 
now  taken  their  flight — so  one  generation  passeth 


66  MEMOIRS   OF 

away  after  another — the  birds  return  and  go  in  their 
seasons.  Let  us  learn  wisdom  from  the  fowls  of 
heaven,  and  know  that  if  the  good  providence  of  our 
Heavenly  Father  permit  us  to  build  our  nests  in  qui- 
etness, we  are  yet  upon  our  passage  and  must  soon 
forsake  them.  I  saw  the  smoke  curl  from  the  chim- 
nies  of  your  brother's  mansion,  and  marked  the 
spot  which  is  the  farthest  that  we  have  been  together, 
and  bade  you  as  it  were  a  second  farewell. — And  is 
it  possible  that  after  to-morrow,  there  is  to  be  but 
one  more  sabbath  spent  in  the  same  land  with  you? 
Till  time  has  dulled  my  feelings  I  had  better  keep 
the  notion  that  made  me  leave  you  so  valiantly — that 
I  shall  see  you  again.  I  will  not  let  this  melancholy 
invade  me.  Now  indeed  we  should  find  the  benefit 
of  thoughts  of  the  "  better  land."  Lift  up  our  faith, 
and  hope,  and  love,  O  thou  most  High! 

I  am  to  preach  for  Mr   Roby  to-morrow.     May 
our  Master  strengthen  me." 

Liverpool,  September  25th,  1818. 
"Next  thursday  morning  we  take  our  departure, 
and  I  bid  farewell  to  the  shores  of  England.  I  have 
more  regrets  to  feel  than  most  persons,  for  I  have 
experienced  more  kindness  than  happens  commonly 
to  travellers:  and  with  whatever  delight  I  may  con- 
template my  return  home,  it  can  never  be  any  thing 
but  a  pain  to  reflect  that  the  wide  ocean  separates  me 
from  friends  whom  I  love.     But  it  is  no  proper  way 


MATTHIAS    DRUEN.  611 

to  show  our  gratitude  for  friends,  to  complain  that 
providence  has  been  pleased  to   separate  us,     I  cer- 
tainly shall  'never  cease  to  be  grateful  peculiarly  for 
my  friends  on   Twecdsidc,  which  have   given  body 
and  spirit  as   well  as   local   residence  to  what   my 
imagination  had  sometimes  pictured,  and   my   cool 
reason    believed    impossible.     If  I  live  I  must  have 
many  hours  of  sohtary  musing;  what  I  have  seen  I 
hope  often  with  pleasure  to  bring   up  to  my  view. 
But  of  what  value  are  the  recollections  of  the  streets 
of  a  splendid  city,  or  the  walls  of  a  rich  gallery,  in 
comparison  with  walks  which  w^e  can  tread,  in  fancy 
at  least,  in  company  and  know  each  other  so  well, 
that   we    can    imagine    not    only   their    words    but 
thoughts.    When  fatigued  then  with  the  business  of 
future  life,  or  made  unhappy  for  a  time  by  an  absurd 
sensibility,  which  however  I  may  attempt  to  ridicule 
or  resist  I  yet  foster,   and  shall  never  overcome,  I 
shall  take  refuge  in  the  alleys  of  your  garden,  or  in 
our  walks  on  the  banks  of  the  Tiviot,  and  forget  my 
foolish  sorrows  and  remember  you.      *        *        * 
But  I  hope  to  raise  those  recollections  a  little  higher. 
If  our  materialized  souls  could  seize  the  sacred  idea 
of  converse  in  heaven,  and  imagine,  from  the  plea- 
sure which  our  intellects  receive  now,  when  a  noble 
thought  but  flits  through  our  minds,  or  a  tender,  pure 
gleam  of  affection  rests  but  a  moment  in  our  bosoms 
— what  must  be  the  delight  of  uninterrupted  growing 
affection  for  God  and  all  his  creatures :  an  afiection 


68  MEMOIRS   OF 


not  the  result  of  mere  feeling,  but  of  the  soundest 
understanding — then  we  should  not  so  often  be  in 
base  slavery  to  the  things  around  us." 


MATTHIAS   BRUEN. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

After  his  letter  of  the  25th,  the  reader  will  partici- 
pate the  astonishment  with  which  the  following  was 
received. 

Liverpool,  September  27th,  1818. 

"I  have  no  time  to  express  to  you  the  delight 
which  yours  of  the  22d  gave  me,  for  it  was  handed 
to  me  on  sabbath  morning,  with  one  from  Paris, 
which  has  entirely  altered  my  plans,  and  forced 
me  to  a  decision  which  must  have  an  influence  on 
all  my  future  life.  Briefly, — I  am  not  going  home 
but  to  France,  to  reside  for  six  months,  perhaps  a 
year." 

Fortunately  it  is  in  our  power  to  give  the  nar- 
rative of  circumstances,  and  the  overflowing  of  his 
dutiful  heart  to  his  parents,  in  his  own  words, 
which  will  make  his  history  better  understood. 

Liverpool,  September  27th,  1818. 
"Alas !  my  very  dear  Father  and  Mother,  and  am  1  to 
send  this  lifeless  memorial  to  you,  instead  of  throw- 


70  MEMOIRS   OF 

ing  myself  into  your  arms  ?    Are  you  to  be  disap- 
pointed  just  at  the   moment  in  which    you    expect 
me  at  home?     Am  I  to  put  aside  all  my  hopes  of 
seeing  you  for  another  six  months,  and  to  stop  the 
warm  current  of  my  affections,  which  have  been  so 
much  indulged  by  this  tender  hope  1    Even  now  that 
I  have  made  the  resolution,  I  tremble  at  it,  and  am 
only  supported  by  the  deep  sense  of  its  necessity,  and 
the  immense    responsibility  of   deciding  otherwise. 
To  give  you  the  history  briefly,  I  had  arrived  here, 
and  taken  my  passage,  when  I  received  a  letter  from 
Paris,  in  which  I  am  told  that  they  have  formed  a 
church  there,  principally  of  Americans,  and  that  there 
is  no  other  than  myself,  to  whom  they  can  look  as  their 
minister.     I  cannot  tell  you  how  much  I  have  been 
startled  by  this.     I  knew  in  London  that  they  were 
making  the  attempt,  but  I  was  far  too  desirous  of 
seeing  you  to  think  of  prolonging  my  absence.    But 
now  just  at  the  moment  of  embarkation,  I  find  myself 
arrested.    I  have  far  too  little  devotion,  and  faith, 
and  zeal  to  fit  me  for  a  missionary,  and  least  of  all, 
in  such  an  important  station  as  Paris.     I  have  no 
spirits  for  giving  you  the  history  to-night — but  to 
finish;  the  question   just  came  to  this — ^whether  I 
dared  to  go  home  where  there  is  no  special  call,  and 
turn  my  back  on  this  field  of  usefulness,  where  no 
one  else  can  so  well  labour.    Whether  I  could  settle 
it  with  my  conscience  to  let  this  opening  for  good,  be 
closed  again,  and  the  exertions  of  these  few  chris- 


MATTHIAS    RRUEJT.  7t 

tians,  die  for  want  of  being  fostered.  Whether  such 
an  opportunity  of  promoting  real  religion  in  France, 
and  doing  something  for  its  destitute  population  in 
the  way  of  encouraging  our  countrymen  and  others 
to  spread  bibles  and  tracts  there,  is  to  be  lost  ?  Do 
I  profess  to  have  a  hope  that  I  am  purchased  by  the 
blood  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  to  be  devoted  to  his 
service,  and  shall  I  prefer  kindred  and  father's  house 
to  obedience  to  so  manifest  a  call  of  his  Providence  ? 
I  dare  not  refuse.  However  much  pain  the  decision 
has  cost,  and  will  yet  cost  me,  I  would  pray  for  di- 
vine assistance,  that  I  may  be  made  to  live  to  God's 
glory,  and  be  led  in  the  path  of  duty,  and  usefulness 
to  my  fellow  men.  May  you  be  strengthened,  my 
dear  parents,  in  this  trial,  and  let  not  hope  deferred 
make  the  heart  sick.  But  since  this  absence  has 
originated  in  this  cause,  may  the  consolations  of  Him 
who  loves  us  unto  the  end,  lift  up  your  hearts  in  the 
joy  of  his  salvation,  and  recompense  you  for  this 
temporary  privation.  Love  and  pray  for  your  weak 
and  anxious  son,  who  can  bear  any  thing  better  than 
the  idea  of  giving  pain  to  you.  I  am  oppressed  with 
a  thousand  thoughts,  and  can  write  no  more  to-night. 

Monday — Here  is  a  copy  of  the  letter  which  I  re- 
ceived. 

Paris,  September  20th,  1818. 

"  We  have  formed  a  little  church  in  this  place  and 
as  wc  are  destitute  of  a  pastor,  we  pray  you  to  come 


72  MEMOIRS   OF 

over  and  help  us.  During  the  summer  we  have  as- 
sembled every  Lord's  day  in  a  private  house,  but  are 
on  the  point  of  getting  one  of  the  protestant  temples. 
Consider,  my  dear  friend,  (the  letter  [is  from  Mr  H. 
son  of  the  senator  from  Connecticut,)  whether  you 
could  spend  the  winter  in  a  manner  more  useful 
to  the  cause  of  your  Lord,  or  more  honorable  to 
yourself,  than  by  residing  in  Paris  in  this  character. 
Would  you  not  acquire  more  boldness  in  the  faith, 
more  influence  in  the  christian  world,  and  more  in- 
tellectual improvement,  than  by  studying  and  preach- 
ing at  home  ?  Perhaps  we  shall  be  unable  to  pay 
you,  but  it  is  doubly  important  you  should  accede  to 
our  proposal,  because  you  can  afford  to  do  it  for 
nothing.  The  request  is  made  on  behalf  of  all  our 
countrymen,  and  of  many  Scotch  Presbyterians,  and 
English  Dissenters.  If  you  should  accede  to  our 
wishes,  become  ordained  in  England.  It  will  not  be 
necessary  for  you  to  write  more  than  one  sermon  a 
week.  I  shall  be  disappointed,  dear  M.  if  you  do  not 
yield  to  so  manifest  a  call  of  Providence.  The  field 
of  christian  usefulness  here  is  as  large  as  the  most 
expansive  charity,  and  it  promises  no  scanty  harvest 
to  the   christian  labourer."         *        *        #        * 

I  wrote  to  you  last  year  while  in  Paris,  that  I 
preached  twice,  but  I  did  not  then  know  that  such 
meetings  are  illegal.  Mr  Drummond,  the  banker  in 
London,  who  has  had  so  much  connection  with  Ge- 
neva, and  with  whom  I  became  acquainted  at  Rome, 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  78 

has  since  told  me,  that  by  the  Code  Napoleon,  there 
are  very  heavy  penalties  upon  all  persons  who  lead 
in  such  meetings,  or  in  whoso  houses  they  arc  held. 
But  if  the  Americans^  as  such,  apply  for  permission  to 
meet  for  public  worship,  it  will  of  course  be  granted, 
and  one  of  the  Protestant  churches  can  be  obtained. 
It  is  of  great  importance  that  it  be  known  distinct- 
ively as  an  American  institution,  because  one  great 
benefit  proposed  is,  the  facilities  it  will  give  for  circu- 
lating bibles  and  tracts  among  the  French,  who  re- 
gard very  favorably  every  thing  done  by  us,  and 
very  jealously  every  thing  done  by  the  English. 
Besides  by  this  means  it  may  become  a  permanent 
institution.  A  war  is  never  likely  to  happen  between 
the  United  States  and  France  ;  but  the  present  peace 
of  Europe  is  probably  quite  temporary.  An  English 
Chapel  then  might  be  shut  up,  but  here  will  be  a 
channel  of  christian  communication,  through  which 
all  christians  of  whatever  nation,  may  employ  their 
means  of  spreading  true  religion ;  and  besides,  how 
great  an  influence  may  such  a  society  have  upon 
the  Protestants,  now  in  so  general  a  state  of  irreli- 
gion.  There  is  English  service  in  the  Oratoire  every 
sabbath,  but  the  Gospel  is  not  preached  by  the  Church 
of  England  man  who  ofliciates  there.  Now  consi- 
dering the  vast  numbers  of  English  in  Paris ;  the 
many  good  people  who  are  there  at  times,  the  many 
who  have  a  respect  for  religion,  and  would  attend 
divine  worship,  and  that  general  fcchng  of  serious- 


74  MEMOIRS   OF 

ness  which  is  produced  in  most  minds  by  an  absence 
from  their  native  country,  I  cannot  but  think  this  may 
become  one  of  the  most  important  stations  in  the  world. 
Paris  is  the  great  centre  from  which  an  influence  goes 
out  to  the  extremes  of  Europe,  and  if  any  good,  how- 
ever small  could  be  done,  we  might  hope  for  the  divine 
blessing,  and  the  most  important  results.     But  I  have 
a  little  lost  the  point  with  which  I  set  out.     It  was  to 
show  the  extreme  importance  of  having  this  at  first 
an  American  institution,  and  for  this  purpose  they 
ought  to  have  at  the  outset  an  American  minister. 
Afterwards  when  it  is  a  little  organised,  they  may 
have  whom  they  please,  though  it  will    be   always 
desirable  to  have  one  from  the  U.  States.    Yet  all 
who  love  the  gospel,  of  whatever  nation,  who  un- 
derstand EngUsh,  will  attend.     It  has   not  been  with- 
out trembling  anxiety  that  I  have  made  up  my  mind. 
There  is  no  other  person  to  apply  to  but  myself,  else 
I  should  have  ceded  so  high  an  honour.     I  am  well 
aware  of  the  immense  difficulty,  and  the  very  severe 
temptations  of  the  station,  but  I  would  throw  myself 
upon  His  faithfulness  who  has  promised  to  sustain 
those  who  trust  in  Him.     If  I  know  my  own  self,  it 
is  only  because  I  believe  it  to  be  for  the  promotion  of 
His  kingdom,  that  I  have  come  to  this  purpose.     It 
has  not  been  a  providence  or  call  of  my  own  seeking, 
but  rather  of  my  avoiding;  but  I  now  find  myself 
straitened  so  that  in  conscience  I  dare  not  leave  it. 
And  I  should  have  felt  that   I    deserved   your  re- 


MATTHIAS    BRUEX.  75 

proaches  if  I  had  come  home  in  such  circumstances. 
My  idea  is  that  I  should  go  there  for  the  winter,  col- 
lect such  a  congregation  as  I  can,  get  them  organ- 
ised, and  by  that  time  we  can  look  round  for  some 
person  to  take  the  place.  One  thing  is  not  to  be  for- 
gotten. Some  personal  sacrifice  is  necessary;  they 
are  not  yet  so  in  a  body  as  to  be  able  to  support  a 
minister.  I  may  by  the  divine  blessing  bring  them  to 
this  point. 

Most  of  the  religious  people  in  England  and  Scot- 
land will  be  much  interested  in  this  subject.  I  now 
come  to  those  reasons  which  make  it  less  a  sacrifice 
to  myself  than  it  may  at  first  seem  to  be.  The  first 
is  the  intellectual  cultivation;  I  shall  often  find  many 
of  the  first  English  and  other  authors,  and  learned 
men,  whose  society  may  be  of  great  advantage  to  me. 
The  opportunities  of  study  are  excellent,  and  I  shall 
live  very  retired.  One  sermon  a  week  is  as  much  as 
I  could  w^rite  well,  and  the  audience  will  generally 
be  of  that  character  which  will  keep  my  mind  vigor- 
ous and  active.  This  preliminary  exercise  may  be 
very  useful  in  preparing  me  for  the  full  labours  of 
a  charge  at  home. 

On  the  other  hand  I  am  going  into  banishment 
from  general  christian  intercourse,  and  that  sort  of 
society  which  is  most  necessary  to  me — to  a  place 
where  Satan's  throne  is,  and  where  temptations  are 
not  presented  in  the  grossness  of  vice,  but  with  all 
the  attractiveness  of  which  they  are  capable.     I  know 


76  MEMOIRS   OF 

Paris  too  well  not  to  be  aware  of  the  loneliness  and 
sorrow  of  heart  which  must  sometimes  come  over 
me.  However  those  may  enjoy  themselves  who 
drown  reflection  in  giddy  dissipation  or  criminal 
enjoyment,  Paris  has  not  to  me  the  charm  of  much 
pleasurable  recollection.  Least  of  all  does  the  pros- 
pect of  a  residence  there  give  me  that  enjoyment 
which  those  who  know  it  not  may  think  it  deserves. 
I  go  where  the  sabbath  is  constantly  profaned, 
where  the  idea  of  eternity  is  discarded,  and  heaven 
and  hell  laughed  at  as  a  notion. 

Tuesday — I  awake  in  the  morning  and  can 
scarcely  beheve  that  I  am  not  going  home, — this 
change  of  purpose  seems  like  a  dream.  Yet  the 
more  deliberately  I  weigh  it,  the  more  satisfied  do  I 
feel  that  it  is  right.  I  have  too  much  prudence  and 
calculation  about  me  not  to  look  at  consequences, 
and  have  not  an  extreme  confidence  in  my  own 
judgment.  Yet  here  have  I,  alone,  with  no  one  to 
advise  with,  taken  the  most  important  step  in  my  life, 
and  feel  satisfied  with  it.  It  seems  as  if  my  faith 
were  stronger,  and  my  religious  feeling  more  devo- 
tional since  than  before.  If  in  the  end  nothing  come 
of  this  design  and  it  quite  fail,  yet  I  think  I  shall  be 
satisfied  as  I  am  now,  that  I  have  done  my  duty." 

The  concluding  sentences  of  a  letter  of  the  same 
date  addressed  to  his  friends  at  Kelso,  may  give  some 
additional  shades  to  the  varied  beauties  of  the  charac- 
ter which  it  is  an  object  to  depict. 


MATTHIAS   BRUEN.  77 

"  I  dare  not  resist ;  I  am  sorry  that  I  should  be  less 
attracted  than  driven  to  so  noble  a  field  of  missionary 
labour.  I  have  not  the  devotion  of  faith  and  zeal 
which  become  the  station ;  yet  the  design  must  not 
be  permitted  to  fall  through,  and  it  is  important  that 
in  the  first  establishment  of  such  an  institution  it 
should  be  distinctly  American.  #         #         # 

There  is  but  one  thing  that  afiects  me,  and  that 
gives  me  great  pain.  It  is  the  acute  disappointment 
of  my  parents  and  sisters  and  brothers.  They  have 
calculated  to  the  hour — the  moment  the  vessel  is 
announced,  they  v^^ill  expect  to  see  me.  I  can  only 
send  a  lifeless  letter." 

Thus  did  our  young  friend  verify  Paul's  descrip- 
tion of  real  christian  character,  "No  man  liveth  to 
himself."  Already  had  his  sensitive  nature  endured 
the  martyrdom  of  separation  from  all  those  friends 
whom  he  had  learned  to  prize  in  a  foreign  country. 
Already  was  his  passage  taken,  his  foot  was  almost 
planted  on  American  planks.  Already  w^as  the  full 
tide  of  feeling  setting  towards  home.  Home!  there 
is  a  magic  in  that  sound  which  none  but  aliens  know. 
But  a  petition,  almost  I  had  said  a  demand  is  made 
upon  him,  holding  out  as  one  of  its  unusual  induce- 
ments, that  he  cannot  be  paid ;  but  that  he  can  aflford 
to  grant  it  without  remuneration.  So  powerful  is  the 
sense  of  duty  in  his  mind,  that  he  receives  the  agitat- 
ing proposal  in  the  morning,  and  decides  before 
night  on  foregoing  all  that  he  must  forego,  and  en- 


78  MEMOIRS   OP 

countering  all  that  he  must  encounter.  Nor  can  we 
duly  estimate  the  value  of  the  sacrifice  without  con- 
sidering his  keen  regret  on  inflicting  severe  pain  on 
his  family.  It  requires  to  have  seen  him  as  we  have, 
expanding  in  affectionate  description  of  each  brother, 
and  each  sister,  explaining  his  hopes  and  fears  for 
each,  with  almost  parental  solicitude;  before  it  can 
be  comprehended  how  pungent  must  have  been  his 
emotions  on  turning  his  back  on  the  native  vessel, 
and  his  fellow  citizens  who  were  to  sail  in  it,  and 
those  western  waves  which  were  to  have  borne  him. — 
But  his  faith  and  patience  were  equal  to  his  day  of 
trial,  and  I  cannot  recollect  that  any  circumstances 
ever  elicited  one  expression  of  regret. 

Mr  Bruen  wrote  on  the  2d  of  October,  1818. 

Liverpool. 
"Yesterday  the  vessel  sailed,  which  carried  my 
letters,  the  poor  representatives  of  myself,  and  here 
am  I  this  evening  in  one  of  those  lonely  not  unhappy 
moods,  which  unfit  me  for  any  thing  except  commun- 
ing with  a  dear  friend.  My  mind  was  rather  in  a 
good  state  after  my  great  decision,  for  I  felt  more 
faith  and  devotion;  more  courage  and  intellectual 
power.  But  I  am  not  made  to  hold  on  the  even  tenor 
of  my  ways.  Pray  for  me  that  in  this  great  conflict 
with  the  powers  of  darkness,  I  may  receive  assistance 
from  our  King  and  Master,  may  be  really  and  wholly 
on  his  side,  and  be  prepared  for  any  sacrifice  in  his 
cause.        *        *        # 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  79 

I  hesitate  as  to  the  business  of  ordination.  I  am 
sometimes  incHned  to  think  that  I  should  do  as  much 
good  by  going  there,  and  only  preaching  and  pre- 
paring for  some  other  person.  But  then  on  the  other 
hand,  are  the  christians  there  to  be  deprived  of  the 
sacred  ordinances  ?  The  answer  to  this  is  that  there 
may  be  dissenting  ministers  who  pass  through  Paris, 
who  may  officiate,  and  I  shall  be  relieved  from  the 
most  heavy  responsibility  of  forming  a  church,  ad- 
mitting members,  and  electing  officers;  a  business 
which  you  will  agree  with  me,  may  well  frighten  my 
inexperience." 

London,  October  22d,  1818. 
"  It  is  now  just  a  week,  my  dear  Father,  since  I 
arrived  once  more  in  this  capital,  and  it  is  still  impos- 
sible for  me  to  fix  exactly  the  day  of  my  ordination, 
though  it  must  now  be  very  soon.  I  am  anxious  for 
it,  for  my  time  is  spending  to  comparatively  little 
profit,  and  I  ought  to  be  at  my  post,  and  at  work. 
Yet  I  have  great  reason  to  look  foi-ward  to  that 
period  with  much  solemnity,  as  to  the  most  eventful 
hour  of  my  life.  I  desire  to  feel  that  no  act  can  be 
so  important  as  that  in  which  a  sinner  dedicates  him- 
self to  the  service  of  his  fellow  sinners  in  teaching 
them  from  the  word  of  life  according  to  God's  com- 
mandment. J  cannot  get  my  soul  half  deeply  enough 
impressed  with  the  endless  responsibility  of  the  office. 
Chained  to  earth  with  earthly  things  to  look  at  and  to 


80  MEMOIRS   OF 

love,  I  am  far  too  worldly-minded  to  be  "  put  in  trust 
of  the  gospel."  But  there  is  consolation  in  the  thought 
that  our  most  merciful  High  Priest  looks  upon  our 
infirmities  with  compassion,  and  bestows  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  give  energy  in  his  service  and  devotion  to 
His  cause,  and  love  to  Himself  and  to  His  people. 
Merciful  Jesus,  hear  my  prayer,  may  my  petition 
come  with  acceptance  before  thy  throne,  may  the 
Spirit  of  grace  be  sent  into  my  heart  to  mortify 
the  corruptions  which  flourish  there,  to  crucify  the 
power  of  sin,  to  transform  me  into  thine  image,  that 
my  faith  may  discern  those  things  beyond  the  vail, 
that  they  may  fix  my  affections,  so  that  I  shall  despise 
all  earthy  things,  and  take  up  my  cross  and  follow 
Thee  whithersoever  Thou  goest. 

I  entered  London  with  I  cannot  tell  you  what  sad- 
ness of  heart,  wearied  at  the  close  of  a  long  journey, 
coming  here  for  such  an  object,  about  to  enter  upon 
such  new  and  important  duties.  I  could  have  de- 
lighted myself  if  any  thing  better  had  awaited  me, 
than  the  solitude  of  an  inn,  in  imagining  the  pleasure 
of  again  seeing  friends  to  whose  bosom  I  could  have 
confided  all  my  sorrows  and  fears.  But  it  is  no 
doubt  well  that  I  have  no  person  with  me,  w^ho  has 
my  confidence,  so  that  I  could  ask  his  sympathy,  for 
we  are  often  enfeebled  by  those  feelings,  rather  than 
prepared  for  duty.  Instead  then,  of  sitting  down  and 
giving  way  to  these  things,  I  went  about  my  work,  to 
see  those  persons  whose  assistance  will  be  necessary 


MATTHLLS    DRUKIf.  81 

in  my  ordination.  I  ought  never  to  omit  expressing- 
my  gratitude  to  my  Heavenly  Father,  that  I  do  not 
feel  myself  that  lone  stranger  in  a  strange  land, 
which  I  may  seem  to  be,  for  there  are  many  persons 
who  take  a  christian  interest  in  me,  and  from  whom 
I  should  receive  much  advice  and  assistance  in  any 
case  of  necessity.  You  will  be  anxious  to  hear  what 
is  to  be  the  manner  of  my  ordination.  There  are 
five  or  six  presbyterian  ministers  here,  who  will 
unite  in  it.  The  necessity  is  so  strong  that  I  do  not 
doubt  our  Classis  when  I  come  home  will  approve 
the  measure,  though  it  has  not  passed  through  the 
usual  presbyterian  forms.  The  main  difference  be- 
tween ourselves  and  the  Congregationahsts  or  Inde- 
pendents is,  that  we  hold  what  I  believe  was  the 
apostolical  manner,  that  the  right  to  administer  the 
ordinances  depends,  not  on  the  choice  of  a  congrega- 
tion but  upon  the  judgment  of  a  certain  number  of 
ministers,  who  may  before,  or  are  at  the  time  of  their 
meeting,  to  judge  of  the  fitness  of  the  candidate — a 
presbytery.  The  provision  for  the  christian  hberty 
of  the  people  is  in  the  fact  that  the  minister  so  or- 
dained cannot  labor  in  any  particular  charge  without 
their  choice.  It  is  upon  the  ground  of  the  letter  of 
license  which  the  Classis  gave  me,  that  the  proceed- 
ings are  founded. 

They  are  about  instituting  here  at  present,  a  Conti- 
nental Society ;  I  send  you  one  of  the  circulars  ;  the 
officers  are  not  yet  fixed  on.     #    *    *    *    The  first 


82  MEMOIRS   OF 

object  is  to  support  and  encourage  all  native  ministers 
every  where  over  the  continent,  in  preaching  the 
gospel,  of  whatever  sect,  whether  lutheran  or  cal- 
vinist,  and  also  to  induce  zealous  persons,  who  could 
not  themselves  bear  the  expense  to  itinerate  in  every 
direction,  and  scatter  the  good  seed.  The  translation 
of  tracts  also,  and  circulation  of  religious  books,  is 
one  of  their  immediate  objects.  The  thing  they 
chiefly  aim  at,  and  indeed  the  principal  difficulty  is 
to  bring  all  the  religious  sects  here  to  co-operate  in 
the  business ; — there  is  great  appearance  of  success, 
however.  I  was  at  the  meeting  last  night  of  the 
principal  persons,  at  which  the  affair  was  discussed 
in  a  way  that  augurs  well.  If  it  should  become  popu- 
lar, it  will  indeed  be  highly  beneficial.  But  you 
readily  see  that  it  is  not  so  easy  for  all  sects  to  unite 
in  this,  as  in  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society, 
or  indeed  in  some  others.  A  short  time,  however, 
will  show  what  can  be  done,  and  it  will  not  fail  for 
want  of  zeal  in  the  movers  of  it.  Mr  Drummond 
told  me  a  very  important  fact,  which  I  perfectly  be- 
lieve, as  JMr  Leo  told  him.  Mr  Leo,  whose  endeav- 
ours to  spread  the  New  Testament  in  France,  you 
are  well  acquainted  with,  sent  a  message  requesting 
an  audience  with  M.  Laine,  the  French  Minister  of 
the  Interior ;  he  received  an  immediate  answer  telling 
him  to  come  that  evening.  At  this  he  was  much  sur- 
prised, as  it  is  contrary  to  the  etiquette  of  persons  in 
the  Minister's  official  station,  to  grant  an  immediate 


MATTHIAS    BRUEX.  83 

•audience.  He  went,  and  when  he  was  beginning  to 
detail  what  he  had  done,  and  the  opposition  he  was 
meeting  with,  the  Minister  interrupted  him  with  the 
assurance  that  he  knew  all  he  could  narrate  upon 
that  subject,  but  that  lie  must  go  on  as  lie  liad  begun, 
that  whatever  was  done  in  the  circulation  of  the 
Bible  in  France  must  be  by  individual  effort ;  that  he 
must  especially  guard  against  attempting  to  establish 
a  Bible  Society,  for  if  that  were  done  they  would 
meet  organised  systematic  opposition;  but  the  go- 
vernment wished  every  success  to  his  exertions,  and 
would  protect  him,  for  they  knew  that  irrcligion  was 
the  source  of  the  miseries  of  France.  Mr  Leo  was 
dismissed  with  a  thousand  francs,  and  M.  Laine  sent 
for  a  large  number  of  Testaments  to  distribute  in  his 
own  family.  Now  if  the  French  government  be  sin- 
cere in  their  desire  to  spread  religion  of  whatever 
sort  in  the  country,  as  the  people  are  entirely  with- 
out rehgion,  and  therefore  without  prejudices,  other 
than  what  the  natural  heart  must  always  have,  and 
as  the  sentiment  is  really  very  general,  that  a  religion 
of  some  sort  is  necessary,  and  that  the  doctrine  of 
the  revolution  on  that  point  is  destructive  of  all  so- 
ciety, the  best  consequences  may  speedily  ensue,  and 
a  rapid  change  be  produced.  While  we  must  not 
permit  our  expectations  to  run  as  fast  as  our  wishes, 
yet  if  the  word  of  God  have  free  circulation,  the  seed 
will  be  sown,  where  it  never  has  been.  In  connec- 
tion with  these  things,  it  is  one  of  the  remarkable 


84  MEMOIRS   OF 

signs   of  the   times,   that   elementary  instruction  is 
spreading  in   France  with   unexampled  rapidity,  so 
that  every  body  is  learning  to  read,  and  so  far  as 
the  literal  understanding  of  it  goes,   the   Bible  will 
soon  not  be  a  sealed  book  to  those  of  the  very  lowest 
class ;  and  if  they  can  read  for  themselves,  the  revo- 
lution has  too  far  shaken  their  old  confidence  in  their 
priests   and  traditions  to  permit   their  minds  to  be 
shackled.     They  will  think  for  themselves.     Let  us 
pray  ardently  then,  for  such  influences  of  the  Divine 
Spirit,  as  may  raise  up  light  in  the  midst  of  darkness, 
may  convert  the  solitary  place  into  the  garden  of 
God,  and  those  that  sit  in  the  shadow  of  death,  into 
the  sons  and  daughters  of  the  Lord  Almighty. 

"  You  cannot  yet  have  heard  of  the  recent  renun- 
ciation of  their  religion  by  three  thousand  Catholics 
in  the  vallies  of  the  Pyrenees.  I  will  tell  you  of  the 
details  when  I  learn  them.  There  is  a  great  deal  of 
religious  information  here  of  an  important  sort,  in 
correspondence  between  Mr  Drummond  and  many 
persons  on  the  continent,  which  now  forms  part  of 
the  documents  upon  which  the  new-  society  has  acted. 
To  this  I  have  access. — I  have  myself  from  M.  Les- 
signol  some  very  interesting  letters. 

"  Upon  my  own  business  in  partic«hr  I  must  not 

forget  to  tell  you  that  Mr  G ,  who  has  been 

here  to  form  a  commercial  treaty,  left  town  to-day 
for  Paris.  He  received  the  idea  of  forming  a  church 
in  Paris  very  favourably,  and  offered  to  look  over 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  85 

the  Code  Napoleon  with  me  when  I  came  to  Paris, 
to  see  what  the  law  requires,  and  to  modify  the 
application  to  the  government  as  circumstances  ren- 
der most  proper.  So  in  one  form  or  another  the 
thing  is  not  likely  to  fail. 

"And  now  you  are  ready  to  ask  how  my  own 
courage  stands  at  the  sight  of  all  this  preparation 
for  labour,  and  what  I  think  will  be  my  own  part  in 
it.  I  am  surprised  myself,  my  dear  father,  at  my 
own  resolution, — that  I,  who  used  so  to  tremble  at 
responsibility,  can  now  go  forward,  without  an  ad- 
viser so  confidently.  I  hope  it  is  not  a  vain,  and  will 
not  prove  a  delusive  confidence.  But  I  feel  as  if  I 
had  information  and  powers  which  may  prevent  my 
acting  unworthily  of  the  station ;  though  out  of  the 
habit  of  writing,  I  feel  certain  I  can  prepare  myself, 
and  I  only  need  a  little  more  faith,  or  a  good  deal,  if 
it  please  our  Heavenly  Father  to  give  it  me,  in  the 
fact  that  God  sees  me,  that  I  am  surrounded  by 
perishing  sinners,  myself  a  sinner,  and  that  there  is 
revealed  for  them  and  me  a  way  of  salvation  in 
Christ  Jesus  the  Lord — to  rouse  me  into  vigorous 
action.  Oh!  that  we  believed  this — that  we  could 
feel  in  any  degree  as  we  ought  at  the  idea  of  an 
eternal  world.  Eternal?  is  it — can  it  be  true,  that 
when  that  sun  and  those  stars  shall  no  longer  shine 
on  us,  when  the  worms  shall  be  the  companions  of 
the  bodies  that  we  now  nourish  with  so  much  care, 
that  then  our  souls  shall  be  conscious  in  an  eternal 


86  MEMOIRS   OF 

world  ?    The  word  of  God  says  so — and  it  may  be 
that  then  our  souls  shall  be  enjoying  the  Divine  Pres- 
ence, and  our  nature  filled  with  perfect  delight,  and 
then  in  our  flesh  we  may  see  God  our  Redeemer; 
when  the  trumpet  shall  sound  and  we  be  raised  in- 
corruptible,   and    brought    into    the    possession    of 
heavenly  mansions.   Nothing  is  more  com.mon  among 
christians  than  expressions  of  surprise  at  the  little 
effect  produced  on  their  own   minds  by  the  truths 
they  profess  to  believe,  and  so  long  as  we  are  sinful 
men  there  will  no  doubt  be  reason  for  this  surprise. 
"  I  cannot  even  stop  for  the  night  without  saying 
what  I  shall  say  more  of — that  I  dare  hardly  trust 
myself  to  think  of  your  disappointment  at  my  not 
coming  home.     For  myself  to  make  a  sacrifice,  to 
sit  in  solitude,  is  nothing ;  but  I  cannot  bear  that  you 
should  suffer  pain,    especially  that  it  should    come 
through  me  whom  you  love,  and  for  whom  you  would 
sacrifice  so  much.     But  I  would  bow  before  a  provi- 
dence which  I  did  not  conjecture  could  happen,  and 
of  which,  therefore,  I  could  not  forewarn  you. 

"  I  pray  now  and  ever  that  the  Almighty  may  set 
his  angels  as  a  watch  around  you  all,  and  that  you 
may  enjoy  abundantly  of  his  consolations.  May  the 
fear  of  God  and  the  love  of  God  dwell  richly  in  your 
hearts,  so  that  we  may  love  each  other  the  more  for 
our  common  love  to  the  one  Redeemer,  and  may 
this  love  increase  until  together  we  "  enter  into  the 
rest  that  remaineth  to  the  people  of  God." 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  87 

To  Mrs , 

London,  October  20lh,  1818. 

"  You  know  the  importance  which  I  am  inclined 
to  give  to  this  soi-disant  American — really  christian 
establishment  in  Paris.  It  is  a  quixotic  attempt,  if 
we  have  not  confidence  in  a  divine  blessing  and  pro- 
tection. May  my  motives  be  purified,  and  I  made 
to  understand  my  duty,  and  receive  strength  to  per- 
form it.  Pray  for  me  my  beloved  sister.  What 
dehght  is  there  in  the  idea  that  you  can  pray  for  me 
and  for  the  prosperity  of  Zion  at  the  same  time.  But 
is  this  not  presumption  ?  Am  I  to  be  an  instrument 
in  building  the  walls  of  Jerusalem  1  The  idea  is  too 
great.  I  am  ready  to  put  my  hand  on  my  forehead, 
and  muse  half  stupid  and  half  melancholy,  under  so 
solemn  a  consideration.  We  are  much  the  creatures 
of  circumstances,  and  I  may  be  brought  to  exhibit 
more  energy  and  knowledge  in  the  service  of  God 
than  I  ever  thought  I  possessed — Oh  that  it  may  be, 
then,  now,  and  ever,  "  yet  not  I,  but  Christ  working 
in  me." 

"  I  was  at  the  communion  service  at  Mr  Fletcher's 
last  sabbath.  Dr  Waugh  opened  the  service  by  a 
most  affecting  address.  I  had  more  overwhelming 
feelings  than  often  come  over  me ;  indeed  I  was  so 
exhausted  by  them  that  my  bodily  frame  was  more 
weakened  in  an  hour  than  it  would  have  been  by 
preaching  three  times.  I  have  much  of  the  high  and 
low  in  my  anticipations  of  my  winter  labours." 


88  MEMOIRS   OF 

All  the  solemn  responsibility  he  was  about  to  as- 
sume in  his  ordination,  could  not  fail  to  come  with 
commanding  power  over  the  mind  of  a  person  of  so 
enlightened  and  true  a  conscience  as  Mr  B.  It 
seems  a  remarkable  dispensation,  that  one  so  formed 
for  the  pure  enjoyments  of  friendship,  and  one  so 
disposed  to  seek  counsel  and  solace  in  the  bosom  of 
a  friend,  should  have  approached  to  one  of  the  most 
affecting  and  interesting  stages  of  his  life,  alone. 
The  disposer  of  his  lot,  whose  loving-kindness  and 
wisdom  were  always  borne  witness  to  by  Mr  B. — 
had  seen  fit  to  leave  no  intermediate  alleviation  for 
all  his  varied  anxieties  and  emotions,  in  order,  it  may 
be  supposed,  that  he  might  bring  them  directly  to  the 
sympathies  of  a  High  Priest  touched  with  the  feeling 
of  his  infirmities. 

Previous  to  his  ordination  he  thus  describes  his 
condition. 

London,  October  26th,  1818. 
"  It  has  been  with  no  pleasant  thoughts  that  I  ar- 
rived again  in  London,  and  sadness  of  heart  predomi- 
nates now  in  all  my  feelings.  This  strange  alteration 
of  purpose,  which  sometimes  seems  almost  quixotic 
to  myself,  the  novel  circumstances  into  which  I  shall 
soon  be  thrown,  and  above  all  the  disquietude  which 
the  idea  of  being  ordained  while  I  am  yet  in  the 
turmoil  of  travelhng,  with  my  confused  feelings,  and 
hfeless  religion,  put  me  altogether  sometimes  in  no 


MATTHIAS    BRUExV.  89 

enviable  state  of  mind.  How  unprepared  am  I  to 
enter  on  the  most  solemn  of  all  offices,  and  to  bind 
myself  by  the  most  awful  of  vows.  At  such  a  period, 
when  I  have  looked  forward  to  it,  I  have  planned  for 
myself  deep  retirement,  and  many  heart-searching  ex- 
aminations of  my  own  exercises,  and  many  heart-felt 
petitions  to  the  throne  of  the  heavenly  grace.  0  God, 
art  thou  the  God  of  my  salvation?  O  Lord  Jesus, 
am  I  to  declare  thine  unsearchable  riches  ?   *        * 

What  can  ever  be  made  out  of  me? — with 
abilities  above  contempt,  there  seems  a  nervelessness 
in  my  whole  constitution  which  will  unfit  me  for  any 
matter  of  practical  utility.  I  fear  I  shall  never  have 
any  thing  at  command  at  the  moment  it  is  required ; 
and  that  a  creature  of  impulse,  I  shall  now  and  then 
do  a  good  and  useful  thing,  but  oftener  disappoint 
and  grieve  myself  and  friends." 

Those  who  have  since  witnessed  his  active  and  ef- 
ficient energy  in  the  station  which  he  filled,  will  read- 
ily impute  these  fears  in  part  to  his  unpractised  youth, 
but  chiefly  to  the  conceptions  of  a  mind  which  plan- 
ned more  than  it  could  accomplish,  and  grasped  in 
imagination  more  than  it  could  attain.  It  is  ever 
thus  with  the  noblest  souls ;  and  He  who  made  man's 
heart,  knows  that  we  are  fated  to  pine  in  this  world 
under  unfulfilled  hopes, — not,  however,  to  pine  in 
vain.  Those  conceptions,  ever  unfulfilled,  ever  dis- 
appointed ©n  earth,  are  the  harbingers  of  heavenly 
aspirations,  and  the  precursors  of  that  complete  state 


90  MEMOIRS   OF 

of  being  which  awaits  all  who  arc  made  perfect  in 
Christ  Jesus. 

London,  October  80th,  1818. 
"  I  cannot  tell  you  with  what  emotion  I  read  your 
last  letter,  and  thank  you  for  all  your  good  advice, 
and  for  your  prayers,  which  I  assure  you  I  recipro- 
cate. You  anticipate  an  effect  from  my  change  of 
plan  that  it  will  effectually  answ^er  all  questions  of 
doubt,  as  to  my  personal  religion.  But  it  will  not  do 
so,  and  to  show  you  this,  I  will  add  to  what  I  pre- 
viously said  on  secret  motives.  This  sacrifice  of 
home,  (and  it  is  a  great  one,)  promises  recompense 
in  the  way  of  worldly  consideration,  and  in  the  way 
of  literary  culture.  And  as  I  am  fairly  embarked  in 
the  profession,  it  was  not  strange  that  I  should  em- 
brace it.  You  may  not  remember,  once,  when  I 
spoke  of  being  encouraged  by  the  fact  that  I  had 
abandoned  worldly  expectations  in  other  professions, 
by  my  choice  of  the  ministry,  that  you  told  me  there 
would  have  been  no  such  thing  for  me,  and  that  this 
is  the  only  thing  I  could  be  fit  for.  There  is  truth  in 
it,  and  if  I  am  ever  fit  for  it,  it  is  all  I  ask.  I  write 
after  returning  from  preaching  for  Dr  Winter,  pre- 
paratory to  the  first  sabbath  of  the  month.  I  preach- 
ed for  Dr  Pye  Smith  on  w^ednesday  night.  My 
ordination  is  to  take  place  at  his  place  of  meeting 
at  eleven  o'clock  next  Wednesday.  The  ministers 
agreed  with  me  in  thinking  that  it  ought  to  be  rather 


MATTHIAS    BRUEPT.  91 

private.  Dr  Waugh,  Mr  Fletcher,  and  Mr  Wilson  from 
Greenock  arc  to  assist,  with  Dr  Winter,  and  Dr 
Smith.  O  that  I  had  a  month  or  two  now,  or  a 
week  of  most  entire  solitude.  It  pains  me  to  think  of 
this  ordination ;  going  from  the  coach  to  the  hotel, 
and  from  the  hotel  to  the  church.  But  we  are  al- 
ways placing  too  much  confidence  in  means,  and  if  I 
had  all  the  means  I  desire,  no  doubt  I  should  be  as 
much  disinclined  to  make  the  best  use  of  them,  as  I  am 
of  those  I  have.  I  am  invited  with  great  kindness  to 
a  house  where  I  may  be  as  much  alone  as  I  wish  that 
day.  I  think  you  do  not  know  Mr  Hale.  I  consider 
it  a  personal  favour  done  to  myself,  while  he  does  not 
so  count  it,  that  he  invites  the  ministers,  and  begged 
me  to  bring  any  friends  I  have.  But  as  I  have  none — 
yes,  friendless  and  homeless ! — this  last  kindness  will 
not  fill  his  hospitable  table.  I  am  grateful,  very  much 
so,  for  the  christian  kindness  I  have  experienced  in 
many  places,  and  shall  ever  remember  and  love  Dr 
Smith  for  his  attention  to  me  at  this  time.  So 
all  the  mechanical  details  are  settled.  It  remains  to 
look  to  Him  who  has  the  residue  of  the  Spirit." 

Dover,  Monday  night, 
November  9th,  1818. 

"  So  far  as  externals  were  concerned,  last  Wednes- 
day passed  over  most  comfortably.  Mr  Fletcher  made 
the  first  prayer ;  Dr  Winter  gave  the  address  to  the 
people;   Dr  Waugh  an  address,  and   proposed   the 


92  MEMOIRS   OF 

questions  to  me,  to  which  I  answered  monosyllabical- 
ly.  He  came  down,  and  made  the  ordination  prayer, 
and  Dr  Smith  gave  the  charge,  a  thing  perfect 
in  its  kind  for  affectionateness,  judiciousness  and  pi- 
ety. Mr  Wilson,  of  Greenock,  made  the  concluding 
prayer.  And  now  you  have  the  account  of  what  met 
the  eye  of  flesh.  But  what  did  the  eye  of  the  searcher 
of  hearts  see  ?  My  mind  was  deeply  solemn.  Dr 
Waugh,  you  know,  has  always  much  nearness  of  ac- 
cess to  the  throne  of  grace;  but  in  the  ordination 
prayer  all  his  soul  poured  itself  out  in  the  deepest  de- 
votion, and  most  holy  ardour  ;  there  was  indeed  in  it 
unction  from  on  high,  it  seemed  the  very  breath  of 
heaven.  They  were  not  earthly  thoughts  or  feelings. 
For  myself,  I  thank  our  heavenly  Father,  that  I  was 
at  that  moment  enabled  to  give  myself  away  in  every 
power  of  my  body,  and  faculty  of  my  soul,  and  I 
thought  that  I  could  spend  and  be  spent  for  Christ, 
and  leave  friends  and  country  for  ever  in  this  life,  if 
we  could  meet  in  the  life  eternal.  But  alas — when 
he  spoke  of  the  blood  of  souls  being  found  in  the  skirts 
of  ministers  of  the  gospel — Oh,  I  have  had  moments 
of  anguish, — Oh  God,  my  God,  art  thou  my  God,  and 
wilt  thou  be  my  refuge  and  strength  and  very  present 
help  in  trouble  ?  You  may  suppose  that  I  was  very 
much  exhausted  by  the  feelings  of  the  day.  But  I 
awoke  next  morning  before  it  was  light,  in  a  state  of 
mind  such  as  I  never  before  experienced — I  am 
earthly,  and  I  wanted  the  bosom  of  an  earthly  father 


MATTHIAS    BRUEI^.  93 

to  weep  Upon.  It  was  anguish — its  essence  is  all 
contained  in  two  w^ords — eternal  responsibility.  I 
could  not  look  unto  Jesus,  I  could  not  enjoy  the  con- 
solations of  his  promises.  But  why  trouble  you  ?  or 
rather,  "why  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul,  and 
why  art  thou  disquieted  within  me, — Hope  thou  in 
God,  for  I  shall  yet  praise  Him,  who  is  the  health  of 
my  countenance  and  my  God. 

You  would  yourself  be  surprised  at  the  vast  im- 
portance every  body  attaches  to  my  mission.  I  have 
one  great  comfort  in  it, — I  should  never  have  been 
satisfied  to  labour  where  a  better  person  could  have 
been ;  but  here,  as  the  Apostle  Paul  says,  I  do  not  la- 
bour within  another  man's  line,  nor  prevent  a  more 
efficient  workman.  May  our  Master  give  me  grace 
to  be  faithful. 

I  received  a  letter  on  friday  which  tells  me  that 
the  application  for  liberty  of  worship  was  considered 
a  matter  of  sufficient  importance  to  be  handed  by  the 
minister  of  police,  to  whom  it  was  addressed  by  the 
consistory  of  the  protestant  church  to  the  minister 
of  the  Interior,  who  has  returned  a  favourable  answer. 
I  am  glad,  however,  that  they  have  dignified  it  so 
much,  since  by  this  means  wc  have  the  highest  au- 
thority. 

I  am  a  little  pale,  and  not  very  strong  from  all 
that  Lhavc  gone  through." 


94  MEMOIRS   OF 

Paris,  November  28,  1818. 
*  #  *  "I  was  deeply  affected,  and  am  still  to  a 
certain  degree,  with  the  responsibilities  of  another 
world,  and  the  simple  fact  is,  I  may  tell  you,  since  it 
is  now  over,  that  I  came  to  Paris,  pale  and  w^orn 
out,  and  with  no  more  bodily  strength  than  I  had 
before  I  left  New  York.  I  arrived  here  on  a  thurs- 
day  night;  the  service  for  which  I  was  not  fit, 
was  continued  by  M.  Mejancl  in  a  private  house.  I 
prepared  my  first  sermon  as  w^ell  as  I  could,  from 
"  The  Son  of  man  is  come  to  seek  and  to  save  that 
which  was  lost."  The  notice  was  published  in  the 
English  papers  here  of  a  regular  service  in  the  Chapel 
of  the  Oratoire.  We  had  a  great  many  more  people 
than  could  have  been  expected.  Among  the  hearers 
were  numbered  the  Ambassador's  family.  Lord  Cal- 
thorpe,  &c.  &c.  &c.  The  beginning  was  very  auspi- 
cious,— the  attention  very  profound,  and  the  effect  of 
the  sermon  such  I  hope,  as,  if  it  do  nothing  more, 
will  get  me  another  hearing.  I  would  here  solemnly 
express  my  gratitude  to  Him  who  has  given  such  a 
beginning.  The  Americans  w^ere  much  pleased  to 
see  so  many  of  themselves  together,  yet  there  were 
many  absent.  There  were  present  also  st)me  English 
and  French.  After  a  great  deal  of  search,  w^e  had 
given  up  the  idea  of  being  able  to  find  any  one  to 
lead  in  singing  the  psalms,  when  a  person  came  int(? 
our  house  an  hour  before  service,  who  did  it.  How- 
ever, the  evening  service  is  so  inconvenient,  that  we 


MATTHIAS    BRUE?f.  95 

havo  resolved  to  change  it,  and  have  it  at  two  o'clock, 
as  the  French  service  ends,  and  before  the  English 
begins — still  in  the  little  chapel.  M.  Marron,  and  the 
French  consistory  have  shown  us  every  attention. 
I  shall  make  every  exertion  to  be  on  as  friendly  terms 
with  them  as  possible ;  it  may  be  of  service  to  the 
good  cause.  We  keep  up  the  morning  service  at  a 
private  house. 

On  sabbath  morning  I  selected  a  text  and  got  my 
mind  so  full  of  the  subject,  that  on  monday  I  wrote 
almost  all  my  new  sermon  (Luke  9,  26)  so  that  you 
see  I  was  determined  not  to  be  behind  hand.  I  hope 
it  will  not  engender  sinful  pride,  but  I  have  found  out 
that  I  have  more  understanding  and  imagination  than 
I  thought,  and  can  write  with  a  certain  eloquence  of 
feehng.  Think  of  the  drawback  then  of  reading  it; 
and  notwithstanding  that  I  muster  Dr  Chalmers  and 
Andrew  Thomson,  and  all  the  ministers  of  New 
England  as  examples,  yet  I  am  not  satisfied,  and  hope 
to  rid  myself  of  this  method,  so  destructive  to  all  forco 
of  manner.*  You  will  believe  that  I,  who  had  not 
written  a  sermon  for  two  years  and  a  half,  find 
occupation  enough. 

^.You  will  be  surprised  after  what  has  been  done, 
to  know  that  there  are  but  three  or  four  christian 
people  here ;  that  nothing  would  have  been  done  at 

all  if  it  had  not  been  for  H ,  who  is  a  treasure 

to  me  of  genius   and  intellect  and   imagination  and 

•    This  was  not  his  matuier  judgment. 


96  MEMOIRS   OF 

christian  principle,  so  based  and  combined  as  it 
never  was  in  any  other  mind.  I  have  been  looking 
about  to  try  and  get  a  weekly  prayer  meeting,  which 
I  need  also — we  will  see. 

I  go  out  to  make  a  call  or  two  now  and  then,  but 
when  I  am  not  forced  to  that,  I  sit  and  write  till  two 
or  three,  and  then  take  a  ride  on  horseback,  and  see 
all  the  mountebanks  on  the  boulevards,  and  all  the 
gentry  of  all  qualities  in  the  Champs  Elysees,  and 
shake  off  the  vapours,  and  sigh  over  the  vanity  of 
the  world,  and  rejoice  that  I  am  alone,  that  I  may 
laugh  or  cry  as  I  please. — Now  you  have  my  manner 
of  life.  As  to  my  locale,  I  am  in  a  very  agreeable 
neighborhood,  near  the  most  frequented  boulevard 
in  the  Rue  de  I'Echiquier.      *        *        *        * 

In  brief,  I  have  every  thing  I  want,  and  am  as 
happy  as  a  lark,  only  when  I  like  to  be  otherwise, 
just  for  variety,  and  ought  to  esteem  myself  the  most 
fortunate  of  mortals. — And  now  I  have  room  for 
no  more  in  this  style. — 

Are  you  much  given  to  mark  anniversaries  1  So 
far  as  I  can  remember,  and  so  far  as  sabbaths  can 
come  round  on  the  same  day,  I  believe  the  first  day 
of  my  preaching  was  the  anniversary  of  the  first  sab- 
bath which  Dr  Mason  and  I  passed  in  Paris,  a  day, 
as  I  remember  I  once  told  you,  of  strange  sadness  of 
heart,  and  tears.    Who  hath  led  me ! 

And  now  of  the  news.    The  French  government 


MATTHIAS    BRUEfT.  97 

has  given  permission  to  the  Consistory  of  Paris  to 
form  a  protestant  Bible  Society,  those  of  the  confes- 
sion of  Augsburg  as  well  as  the  calvinists.  All  the 
pastors  are  engaged  in  it,  and  it  promises  great 
things.  One  very  encouraging  circumstance  is,  that 
how^ever  much  the  preaching  here  falls  short  of  that 
full  exposition  of  christian  doctrine  and  application 
to  the  conscience  which  we  need,  yet  there  is  a  man- 
ifest improvement  since  I  was  first  here,  and  I  never 
heard  M.  Marron  at  all  so  explicit  as  he  was,  as  to 
the  doctrines  of  Christianity,  in  a  sermon  styled  the 
inauguration  sermon  for  the  Bible  Society.  The 
Duchess  de  Broglic,  Mad.  de  Stael's  daughter,  and 
other  protestants  of  rank,  take  great  interest  in  it. 

I  met  with  Mr  Owen*    at  dinner   at  Lord   Cal- 
throp's  the  other  day  with  great  pleasure,  though  we 
did  have  some  talk  as  to  the  ultraism  of  the  Ameri- 
cans at  the  Popish  ceremonies,  such  as  not  taking  off 
one's  hat  to  the  Host,  even  at  Rome,   &c.     He  has 
gathered  a  vast  deal  of  interesting  information  where 
he  has  been.     I  like  to  see  such  a  man  as  he,  who 
as  a  member  of  the  Church  of  England,  is  a  little 
ultra  too,  and  observe  how  every  vestige  of  prejudice 
yields,    when  the  question    is   about   preferring    the 
essence  of  Christianity  to  any  of  its  forms.      He  is 
ndeed  an  excellent  christian  man,  and  I  should  love 
lim  if  it  were  for  nothing  else  but  his  deportment  at 
Jeneva.     He  conducted  himself  with  the  greatest 

*  Secretary  of  the  B,  and  F.  Bible  Society. 
O 


98  MEMOIRS   OF 

wisdom;  kept  always  in  view  that  he  represented 
the  B.  and  F.  B.  Society,  and  took  no  side.  He  re- 
fused a  fraternal  dinner,  as  it  was  styled,  to  which 
the  company  of  Pasteurs  invited  him,  because  of  their 
divisions,*  and  declined  afterwards  to  see  them  to- 
gether. He  expressed  his  religious  opinions  most 
decidedly,  especially  at  Mad.  Vernet's  in  a  very  large 
company.  His  whole  influence  has  been  on  the  right 
side,  and  I  know  from  what  I  heard  when  there,  how 
great  that  was. 

I  beg  above  all  things  that  our  w^ell  meaning 
friends  in  England  will  let  us  alone.  When  I  see 
what  a  small  undertaking  this  is  in  reality,  and  what 
the  imaginations  of  persons  at  a  distance  make  of  it, 
it  seems  as  if  we  had  published  falsehoods.  It  can  do 
us  no  good,  and  it  is  painful  to  any  candid  mind  to 
be  the  object  of  such  overrated  notions.  If  any  per- 
manent good  is  done,  it  will  be  known  in  due  time ; 
it  is  not  necessary  to  celebrate  the  triumph  before 
the  battle." 

Paris,  December  29th,  1818. 
"  Last  Sunday  w^eek  I  made  my  first  extemporane- 
ous preaching,  at  our  little  morning  meeting    in  a 
room,f  and  there  seemed  to  be  a  special  providence 

*  The  divisions  in  the  church  of  Geneva,  are  so  well  known  that  it  has  not 
been  thought  right  to  print  any  of  the  details  given  by  Mr  Bruen,  though  they 
were  very  minute;  especially  as  subsequent  events,  had  they  been  known  to  him 
might  have  modified  his  views  in  some  degree. 

t  The  Chapel  of  the  Oratoire  was  occupied  in  the  morning  by  French  pro- 
t«6tants  and  therefore  only  at  liberty  for  Americans  in  the  afternoon. 


MATTmAS    BRUEX.  00 

in  it,  for  an  amorican  lady  here,  who  has  been  the 
most  active,  and  who  was  in  great  distress  of  mind 
which  I  did  not  know  of,  found  it  a  word  of  great 
comfort.  We  have  a  little  prayer  meeting  from 
house  to  house  in  the  week,  in  which  I  explain  a 
small  portion  of  scripture,  and  the  others  pray,  but 
so  weak  are  we  that  three  men  are  all  we  can  have 
to  lead  in  it.  The  good  people  are  very  liberal  of 
their  money  for  tracts  and  testaments  and  all  char- 
itable works. 

The  course  of  my  mind  strikes  me  as  being  ex- 
tremely curious ;  here,  when  I  have  become  an  old 
man,  my  fancy  has  got  a  little  start,  and  I  am  read- 
ing Milton  with  infinite  delight — with  a  new,  pure  and 
unaffected  pleasure.  *  *  #  a^d  I  have 
enjoyment  in  composition,  altogether  independent  of 
religious  pleasure,  from  the  number  of  vivid  images 
which  strike  me.  How  sweet  to  myself  is  this  ego- 
tism." 


100  MEMOIRS   OF 


CHAPTER    Vli. 

Paris,  January  2d,  181^* 
"  I  was  very  solicitous  to  write  to  you  on  the  last 
night  of  the  year,  but  the  necessity  of  preparing  my 
sermon  prevented  me,  but  I  thought  much  of  you  be- 
fore and  after  midnight.  One  complete  year  has 
rolled  by,  and  I  have  still  that  in  possession  (in  mind 
and  feeling)  which  marks  an  era  in  my  life.  How 
strange  that  I  should  come  to  Kelso  to  find  a  pure, 
disinterested  friend,  and  not  be  forgotten,  whether  at 
Rome  or  Paris, — come  back  to  Scotland  to  see  you, — 
and  be  here  enjoying  one  of  the  most  vivid  of  my 
pleasures  in  your  correspondence.  I  have  by  its 
means  come  to  have  a  more  independent  being  in  re- 
ference to  a  multitude  of  objects.  And  I  am  sure  it 
has  been,  and  will  be,  of  essential  service  to  me  in 
the  most  important  matters.  It  has  indeed  been  a  pe- 
culiar allotment  in  providence.  We  are  fairly  em- 
barked on  the  stream  of  a  new  year.  I  feel  myself 
more  than  a  year  older,  at  the  full  point  of  life,  with 
more  than  life  half  gone,  and  yet  so  inconsequent  are 
we  in  our  feelings,  I  cannot  comprehend  that,  if  that 


MATTHIAS    BRUEIT.  101 

bo  true,  I  am  more  than  half  way  to  the  house  of 
silence,  and  to  the  period  when  these  eyes  shall  not 
behold  the  sun,  nor  this  heart  beat  with  any  emotion. 
Yet  death  advances.  He  will  soon  do  that  for  me 
which  he  has  done  for  so  many  others.  He  will  soon 
stop  my  pulsations,  and  cast  all  of  me  that  my  friends 
look  upon,  into  the  grave  for  worms  to  feed  on, 
and  holding  my  soul  with  a  firm  grasp,  carry  it  to  the 
judgment  of  God.  It  is  true  that  there  is  one  who 
makes  death  the  messenger  of  peace,  the  harbinger 
of  heavenly  life.        *        *        * 

It  is  now  almost  one  o'clock ;  Saturday  night,  then, 
is  past;  the  first  of  1819.  So  we  travel  on  toward 
eternity.  Farewell — I  will  leave  the  rest  of  my  paper 
for  another  night,  if  I  live  so  long.  May  your  rest  be 
grateful,  and  your  hopes  buoyant,  and  your  faith  firm. 
It  takes  my  letter  many  days  to  go  to  you — my 
thoughts  are  more  rapid,  and  my  prayers.  The 
moon  shines  brightly  here.  It  also  throws  its  silver 
light  upon  the  ruined  Abbey,  upon  the  old  holly,  and 
on  the  Tweed."        *        *        * 

January  3d. — "  I  have  lived  so  long  and  come  to 
the  termination  of  another  sabbath.  Once  more  I 
have  delivered  my  Master's  message,  and  told  my 
hearers,  that  our  dust  must  return  to  the  dust  as  it 
was,  and  the  spirit  return  to  God  who  gave  it ;  that 
the  reason  of  our  mortality  is  our  sin,  and  that  Jesus 
Christ  alone  can  save  our  souls  from  wrath,  our 
whole  persons  from  perdition.        *        *        * 


103  MEMOIRS   OF 

Many  of  our  young  men,  and  of  my  personal  ac- 
quaintances who  hate,  no  doubt,  to  hear  of  death  in 
Paris,  never  come  to  church.  If  there  were  nothing 
more  in  it  than  the  loss  of  all  the  habits  of  home, 
which,  though  they  have  become  estranged,  they 
must  return  to,  or  lose  the  respect  of  those  they  most 
value.  It  is  a  sad  concern.  But  there  is  more  in  it, 
and  the  angel  of  destruction  can  mark  out  a  grave 
for  them,  as  well  at  the  cemetery  of  Pere  La  Chaise 
as  at  the  family  burial  ground. 

I  do  not  know  my  dear  friend,  if  ever  I  made  the 
request,  but  I  wish  very  much,  if  by  any  of  those  oc- 
currences which  are  called  accidents,  I  should  not 
reach  home,  or  should  not  live  long  afterwards,  that 
you  would  make  a  few  extracts  from  my  letters  to 
you,  of  such  parts  as  you  think  would  show  them 
most  of  their  brother,  and  send  to  my  sisters.  I 
never  put  so  much  of  myself  on  paper  before,  and 
they  would  be  sorry  as  well  as  I,  that  I  should  quite 
fade  from  their  recollection." 

To  his  Brother. 

Paris,  February  4,  1819. 
*****"  Except  that  I  am  in  the  main 
stronger,  I  am  for  health  very  much  as  when  I  left 
home,  and  I  think  that  perhaps,  I  shall  never  lay  my 
hand  firmly  on  my  work,  and  work  forward  and 
through,  like  an  honest  man.  We  may  assure  our- 
selves of  one  thing,  that  however  we  may  adorn  our 


MATTHIAS    BRUEX.  103 

weaknesses  with  the  glitter  of  sentiment,  or  palaver 
them  over  with  fine  names ;  yet  that  man  is  the  most 
respectable  who  does  the  plain,  useful  work  of  life, 
and  he  will  have  something  substantial  in  the  eflcct 
he  has  produced  upon  society,  when  the  wind  has 
carried  away  our  bubbles,  and  the  sun  melted  our 
frost-work. 

Many  reflections  of  this  sort,  and  others  which 
would  produce  more  pain,  if  self-love  did  not  take  off 
their  edge,  that  letter  of  my  friend,  George  Duffield's, 
naturally  produces.  The  present  civil  interests  of  his 
country  have  been  benefited  by  his  exertions,  and 
then  the  fruit  of  his  labours  extends  to  eternity.  But 
this  is  a  reflection  I  dare  not  examine  now. 

Although  since  the  receipt  of  my  last  letters  from 
home,  there  are  other  grounds  on  which  to  decide  to 
return  soon,  the  main  point  to  which  I  direct  my 
view  is,  that  the  sphere  of  usefulness  is  greater  there 
than  here.  The  subject  of  being  settled  when  I  re- 
turn will  doubtless  give  me  anxiety.  I  confess  that  a 
small  congregation  in  a  country  place  would  better 
suit  my  frame  of  body  and  mind,  than  the  bustle  and 
heavy  labour  of  the  city.      I  am  very  sorry  if  the 

people  of   have  kept  their  church  vacant 

any  longer  than  they  would  of  necessity  have  done, 
from  thinking  of  me.  Still  that  place  strikes  my 
fancy,  for  a  great  deal  of  good  might  be  done 
there  with  less  difficulty  than  in  many  other  situa- 
tions.    There  are  congregations  in  New  York  and 


104  MEMOIRS   OF 

other  cities,  to  which  even  if  I  should  be  called,  I 
should  think  it  would  oficnd  all  the  sense  of  fitness 
that  is  in  my  nature,  to  attempt  the  guidance  of. 
Happily,  circumstances  do  not  require  me  to  vex  my 
mind  with  cares  for  the  morrow. 

You  must  have  admired  the  quantum  of  philosophy 
which  my  last  letter  to  my  Father  contained.  A 
friend  told  me  some  time  ago,  that  the  country  minis- 
ter with  whom  he  was  brought  up,  in  a  fine  summer 
evening  when  the  labours  of  the  day  were  over,  and 
he  had  taken  his  tea,  used  to  place  himself  at  the  par- 
lour window,  with  his  pipe,  and  discourse  most  affect- 
ingly,  while  thus  in  the  plenitude  of  happiness,  on  the 
pains  of  life  and  all  its  vanities,"     *       #      *       * 

Paris,  February  8th,  1819. 
"  I  have  spoken  to  you  of  my  grandfather  with 
whom  I  w^as  left  in  the  country,  and  to  whom  in  my 
childishness,  I  was  a  companion  and  friend.  He 
used  to  take  more  pleasure  in  our  little  discussions, 
than  in  conversing  with  most  of  his  neighbours.  He 
was  a  man  of  strong  native  sense,  great  practical 
judgment  and  knowledge  of  men.  I  delight  to  turn 
back  to  the  recollections  of  my  childhood,  and  I  shall 
never  forget  him  who  occupied  so  large  a  place  in 
them.  Day  followed  day  in  the  round  of  our  em- 
ployments, and  in  the  evening  he  took  his  place  at 
the  fire,  and  I  at  his  right  hand,  and  settled  all  the 
affairs  of  state.     I  illustrated  all  my  arguments  from 


MATTHIAS    BRUEX.  105 

the  history  of  the  Roman  Senate,  and  we  sometimes 
descended  from  these  high  topics  to  the  approaching 
examination,  or  the  state  of  the  skating  pond.  I 
shall  never  forget  the  feelings  with  which  we  have 
spent  the  sabbath  evenings,  when  the  deep  blue  hea- 
vens, such  as  we  often  have  of  a  winter  night,  were 
studded  with  stars,  and  he  has  told  me  the  popular 
names  of  them,  and  we  have  talked  of  their  distances, 
and  of  His  almightiness  w^ho  wheels  them  in  their 
courses. — In  fine,  we  parted.  He  dined  at  my 
uncle's  with  me,  but  his  great  age  did  not  permit 
him  to  come  to  hear  me  preach  in  my  native  town, 
the  day  before  I  bade  it  farew^ell.  And  now,  he  lies 
fast  by  where  he  placed  a  stone  over  the  remains  of 
my  grandmother.  I  scarcely  dared  to  anticipate  the 
delight  with  which  w^e  should  have  met  again ;  and 
it  has  been  as  well  not  to  dwell  upon  it,  for  now  we 
shall  not  meet  again  here." 

February  9th. 
"One  reason  why  I  could  not  finish  my  letter 
yesterday  was,  because  I  was  engaged  to  make  a 
visit  in  which  your  hand  could  be  traced.  Madame 
Vernet  has  sent  me,  besides  a  letter  of  introduction 
from  Prof.  Pictet,  one  from  herself  to  the  Countess 

of .     In  default    of  a  better,     you  may  see 

a  character  of  her  in  Lady  Morgan's  France. 
What  I  had  heard  of  her,  had  given  me  a  desire  to 
know  a  woman  of  the  great  world,  and  of  great 
literature.     And  Madame  Vernct's  letter  spoke  of  a 


106  MEMOIRS   OF 

quality   that   I  dare    say  Lady  Morgan  would  not 
inquire  about,  her  religion.     After  going  through  all 
the  forms,  of  leaving  my  card,  being  sent  for,  invited 
to  dine,  &c. — last  night  w^hen  I  made  a  visit  I  was  quite 
enchanted;  I  never  before  had  an  idea  of  the  true 
spirituel  in  French  conversation.      You  must  know 
that  Madame  La  Marquise,    for  that  is  her  title, — 
what  horror  to  my  republican  ears ! — occupies  her- 
self all  the  day  in  public    charitable  establishments, 
never  goes  out  in  the  evening,  and  instead  of  once 
or  twice,  "receives  "  every  night  in  the  week.     The 
consequence  is  that  the  mere  people  of  rank  come 
seldom,   but  there    are   always    a  few  of  the  m.ost 
considerable  persons  who  come  for  sensible  purposes. 
Some  ladies  were  there   last  night,  and  as  I  heard 
them  announced  I  made  the  same  mistake  into  which 
Byron's  title  of  Lord,  led  the  Edinburgh  Reviewer 
in  his  first  critique.     But  when  we  talked  of  M'ln- 
tosh's    review  of  Mad.  de  Stael,   in  the  last  Edin- 
burgh,    I   soon   found   that    they  were  vastly  well 
informed,  and  what  is  more  rare,  thought  for  them- 
selves.    We  had  afterwards  a  scientific  discussion  on 
the  art  of  talking,  which  was  the  more  amusing  be- 
cause it  was  clear  that  they  were  all  professors  ex- 
posing the  rules.     The  Countess  began  with  the  prin- 
ciple that  the  speaker  is,  in  almost  all  circumstances, 
the  one  the  best  pleased  in  the  company,  and  that  the 
main  pleasure  in  hearing  is,  that  we  shall  have  our 
turn  next.     Then  came  the  different  species  of  pro- 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  107 

fessed  talkers,  with  the  benefits  and  evils  belonging 
to  the  race,  all  spiced  with  anecdotes  of  great  authors, 
which  was  quite  a  treat  to  me,  and  I  swallowed  it 
with  great  voracity.  We  had  also  present  a  General 
officer  who  told  us  of  the  campaign  of  Russia,  and 
how  he  saw  500,000  men  cross  one  bridge  over  the 
Niemen,  and  saw  all  that  remained  of  the  army,  in- 
fantry, artillery  and  cavalry,  stand  on  the  same  bridge 
on  their  return,  while  the  king  of  Naples  said  to  him 
"voila  tout."  The  bridge  about  the  size  of  the  Pont 
Royal,  or  a  little  larger  than  yours  over  the  Tweed. 

The  religious  tracts  which  we  have  printed  take 
greatly  wath  the  Countess,  and  she  will  distribute 
them.  She  seems  to  be  a  very  sincere  woman,  reads 
a  great  deal  of  the  bible,  though  a  catholic,  and  is 
anxious  to  get  some  plain  sermons  for  the  common 
people.  She  says  that  the  priests  will  have  nothing 
to  do  with  the  schools  for  mutual  instruction.  So 
much  the  better  if  it  stirs  up  others  to  give  religious 
knowledge.  She  does  a  great  deal  of  good.  I 
'brought  over  that  tract  wdiich  affected  me  much; 
Cowper's  brother's  death  by  Cowper;  it  is  translated, 
and  will,  I  have  no  doubt,  be  popular.  We  have  dis- 
tributed many  of  the  life  of  Wm.  Kelly,  which  I  sup- 
pose you  know.  Most  of  the  English  French 
tracts  are  shockingly  done,  but  this  the  Countess  says 
does  not  contain  a  single  English  idiom.  The  Shep- 
herd of  Salisbury  plain,  is  translated,  and  half  a  vol- 
ume of  the  cheap  repository  tracts  will  soon  be  fin- 


108  MEMOIRS   OF 

ished.    These  things  are  owing  to  H- .    Our 

numbers  at  the  church  are  rather  increasing,  but  the 
sphere  of  usefulness  is  much  larger  at  home.  There 
is  to  be  a  new  vessel  at  Havre  on  the^lst  of  April, 
when  it  is  my  present  purpose  to  embark.     Think  of 

it a  little  more  than  six  weeks !     I  have  given  what 

seems  to  be  my  duty  here.        #        *        #        * 

Paris,  March  1st,  1819. 
My  dear  Father, 
*  #  *  *  "  As  to  my  occupations  here,  I 
have  very  little  to  add  to  what  I  have  before  written. 
The  encouragement  is  not  so  great  as  to  make  me 
feel  obliged  in  conscience  to  stay,  nor  yet  so  little  as 
to  leave  me  altogether  wilHng  to  go.  A  short  time 
will  decide. 

I  have  peculiar  need  of  your  prayers,  that  my  faith 
fail  not;  that  my  confidence  in  the  truth  of  God's 
word  be  not  shaken,  by  seeing  so  many  neglect  the 
way  of  salvation.  Mine  is  a  far  different  case  from 
that  in  which  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel  are  preach- 
ed among  a  people  accustomed  to  the  sound,  and  to 
consider  the  things  as  true,  even  when  they  have  no 
practical  experience  of  them, — there  each  one  sup- 
ports the  other,  but  here  I  am  comparatively  solitary. 
I  am  as  sensible  as  any  one  can  be,  that  it  is  in  vain 
to  muse  about  the  future  world ;  that  all  speculations 
on  futurity  are  worthless ;  that  nothing  but  a  strong 
faith  can  sustain  us ;  that  a  simple  rehance  upon  what 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  109 

the  scripture  reveals,  is  tlie  only  wise' course.  There 
is  but  one  way  which  is  to  give  up  our  sinful  hearts, 
with  all  that  wo  have  of  evil,  to  the  Lord  Jesus  who 
is  the  Sanctificr  as  well  as  Redeemer,  and  who  will 
receive  all  that  come  unto  him,  and  purify  all  that  he 
receives.  The  life  of  faith  is  a  continual  going  out  of 
ourselves  to  him  who  is  the  faithful  and  true  witness 
to  receive  the  grace  that  is  needful,  the  influences  of 
the  spirit  that  sanctify,  and  the  hope  that  flourishes 
through  eternity.  "  What  I  would  that  I  do  not,"  but 
I  would  live  this  life,  and  practice  this  dependence, 
and  Hve  from  the  treasures  which  He  dispenses,  eat  of 
the  heavenly  manna  that  he  gives,  and  drink  abun- 
dantly of  the  waters  that  never  fail. 

While  we  live  from  day  to  day,  the  end  of  our 
earthly  existence  approaches.  What  are  all  other 
concerns,  compared  to  the  making  sure  of  a  blessed 
immortality.  We  must  live  in  faith ;  we  must  con- 
fide the  regulation  of  our  future  interest  unto  Him 
to  whom  we  commit  our  soul.  He  who  rules  our 
lot  in  this  world,  rules  the  world  of  spirits.  In  short, 
in  all  our  meditations  we  must  come  to  the  con- 
clusion, that  faith  is  the  all-important  matter,  and 
vital  Christianity  ends  where  it  begins,  believe,  and 
thou  shalt  be  saved. 

The  number  of  my  hearers  is  small,  but  they  are 
very  attentive.  They  change  perpetually,  for  most 
persons  make  a  very  short  residence  here,  so  I  have 
little   opportunity    of   judging    how  much    good   I 


110  MEMOIRS   OF 

do ;  less  than  would  be  done  if  I  had  more  faith  and 
zeal.  May  there  be  a  reviving  of  things  that  remain 
that  are  ready  to  perish." 

Paris,  March  9th,  1819. 
"I  have  just  come  from  dinner  at  Lord  Calthorpe's 
and  have  seen  there  in  Mr  Pinkerton's  character,  a 
specimen  of  christian  principle,  which  I  reverence 
with  all  my  soul.  When  I  last  wrote,  I  thought  it 
perfectly  certain  that  I  should  return  home  this 
spring,  and  yet  latterly  without  any  change  of  cir- 
cumstances or  reason,  I  have  come  to  balance  and 
doubt  in  a  strange  manner.  I  can  certainly  go 
Tvith  a  most  safe  conscience,  I  give  you  full  credit  for 
an  affectionate  wish  to  keep  me  on  this  side  the  At- 
lantic, else  I  suspect  you  would  feel  obhged  to  urge 
me  to  go  and  enlarge  my  field  of  labour.  There  is 
no  influence  exercised  on  the  French,  as  it  seems  im- 
possible there  should  be.  All,  religious  and  irreli- 
gious, are  very  anxious  I  should  not  return.  But, 
in  summer  there  will  be  frequently  strangers  to  min- 
ister to  the  people ;  and  there  is  some  expectation 
that  a  clergyman  will  come  from  London,  who 
will  be  able  to  preach,  though  his  health  is  not  good. 
If  he  does,  I  shall  consider  it  as  a  permission  in 
providence  that  I  may  go.  *  *  *  *  # 
Among  my  hearers  there  has  been  a  lady  of  a  cer- 
tain literary  reputation,  Helen  Maria  WilHams.  * 
*         *  As  to  Madame  La  Marquise,  she  spoke 


MATTHIAS    BRUEiV  111 

in  the  most  affecting  manner  the  other  day  about  how 
utterly  the  world  was  spoiled  to  her  by  the  death  of 
her  son.  For  two  years  she  has  occupied  herself  ex- 
clusively in  religion.  You  cannot  conjecture  how  a 
thousand  things  that  seem  plain  to  us,  trouble  one 
brought  up  in  Catholicism.  She  wonders  very  much 
how  the  general  circulation  of  the  Bible  can  be  very 
useful,  when  so  many  parts  of  the  Old  Testament  are 
so  very  obscure,  and  unintelligible  in  any  evangelical 
manner  to  common  readers.  She  exerts  herself  to 
give  what  religious  instruction  she  can  to  the 
children.  There  is  no  getting  at  truth.  Now  con- 
trary to  all  report,  she  says  that  the  Duchesse 
d'Angouleme  is  very  tolerant,  and  on  a  committee  in 
which  they  were  together,  ordered  relief  to  be  given 
to  the  sick  of  whatever  religion. 

I  have  been  visiting  a  lady  to-day  who  was  very 
much  in  the  fashionable  world,  who  is  within  a  few 
days,  apparently,  of  death,  God  has  been  pleased  to 
change  her  heart  when  the  consumption  seized  her, 
and  she  is  now  a  joyful  christian.  It  was  the 
greatest  comfort  to  witness  such  a  scene.  She  said 
that  she  is  far  happier  now  on  the  sick  bed,  suffering 
all  sorts  of  bodily  pain,  with  her  bones  coming  almost 
through  her  skin,  (her  very  words)  than  she  had  ever 
been  in  the  gaieties  of  the  world.  What  a  testimony ! 
This  is  a  matter  of  sense  and  experience ;  there  is  no 
mistaking  such  effects  of  Christianity.  She  said 
she  did  not  wish  to  hve,  and  that  God  would  support 


112  MEMOIRS   OP 

her  husband  in  the  trial,  and  it  might  have  the  effect 
of  bringing  him  nearer  to  the  rock  of  salvation. 

I  put  my  concluding  petition  in  the  formula  of  dear 
Lissignol's  last  letter,  "  pensez  toujours  au  pauvre  so- 
htaire  de  Paris,  qui  vous  aime  en  Jesus  Christ." 

Paris,  March  26th,  1819. 
"  In  fine — my  resolution  is  taken,  and  the  vessel  has 
arrived  to  which  your  brother  is  to  confide  his  for- 
tunes.     #         *       I  have  been  supposing  that  I  must 
remain  till  May,  for  want  of  a  conveyance,  but  this  is 
an  excellent  opportunity,  a  new  vessel,  fine  accommo- 
dations, and  a  trusty  captain,  the  very  best  season  of 
the  year,  in  short  the  very  best  prospect  every  way. 
By  this  time  you  wish  to  ask,  "  and  what  prospects 
does  conscience  give  ?"     On  this  important  point  it  is 
necessary  to  satisfy  you.      If  our  institution  here  in 
any  way  took  root  among  the  French,  though  it  were 
ever  so  small  in  the  beginning,  it  would  be  vastly  im- 
portant, and  I  should  feel  myself  ready,  I  beHeve,  for 
any  sacrifice.      But  it  does  no  more  touch  them  than 
if  it  were  in  California.     It  depends  for  its  hearers  on 
the  few  american  families  here,  and  perishes  at  their 
removal.     It  is  essentially  foreign,  and  without  any 
influence  in  the  country.       ***** 

I  received  a  note  from  Mr  Hankey,*  begging  me 
to  stay  another  year.     The  people  who  are  not  on 

•  Allen  Hankey,  Esq.,  Banker,  London. 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN^.  113 

the  spot  cannot  judge  of  the  circumstances;  they 
have  all  along  attributed  too  much  importance  to 
it,  and  will  likely  enough  think  I  was  attracted  home, 
when  it  was  my  duty  to  stay.  My  good  friends  here, 
the  most  earnest  for  my  stay,  are  wiser.  They  say, 
if  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  remain,  they  would  think 
so, — as  it  is,  they  cannot  oppose  me.     I  had  a  note 

from  H this  morning,  in  which  he  says,  before 

I  decided  he  would  say  nothing,  but  now  that  it  is 
fixed  he  may  speak,  and  he  would  not  have  listened 
a  moment  to  my  going,  if  he  did  not  feel  that  in  my 
circumstances  he  should  unhesitatingly  do  the  same. 
I  could  not  be  at  our  little  prayer  meeting  last  night, 
being  with  a  sick  person ;  but  it  was  the  entreaty  of 
all,  that  I  might  be  guided  in  the  way  of  duty. 
*        i^        ^         *        %        %        % 

Every  spare  moment  has  been  taken  up  with  a  lady 
who  has  hung  between  life  and  death  in  a  wonderful 
manner  for  more  than  a  fortnight,  in  whom  I  have 
seen  the  force  and  triumph  of  faith,  the  peace  of  God, 
the  preciousness  of  His  promises,  and  of  the  blood  of 
Jesus,  and  the  darkness  and  horror  into  which  we 
may  fall,  when  we  see  the  shadows  that  are  near 
the  valley  of  death.  Ah!  there  is  sadness  in  that 
hour.  It  is  in  vain  to  be  told  that  Jesus  is  ever  the 
faithful  and  true  witness,  whether  we  see  the  light  of 
his  countenance  or  walk  in  darkness,  if  we  feel  not 
the  preciousness  of  the  word  of  life.  May  the  good 
shepherd  lead  us  by  the  fountains  of  water,  and  wipe 


114  MEMOIRS  OF 

away  all  tears  from  our  eyes,  *  *  *  I  must 
tell  you  that  Madame  La  Marquise  lent  me  Fene- 
lon,  and  I  have  been  much  affected  by  some 
pencil  marks  on  it.  She  never  will  recover  from 
her  grief  at  the  loss  of  her  son.  In  a  treatise  on 
prayer  Fenelon  quotes  St  Augustin  who  says  that  "  it 
is  good  to  pray,  when  we  seek  God  only,  and  bad 
when  we  seek  by  his  means  other  good  things," — 
upon  which  she  remarks,  "  Est  il  permis  de  le  prier 
pour  qu'il  vous  reunisse  dans  son  sein  avec  1'  object 
de  votre  amour,  et  de  votre  regret?"  Fenelon  con- 
tains a  remark  very  important  from  Augustin — "Do 
not  pretend  to  make  God  the  protector  of  your  self- 
love,  and  your  ambition,  but  the  executor  of  your 
good  designs ;  go  not  to  God  to  satisfy  your  passions, 
nor  as  you  do  sometimes  to  save  yourself  from  the 
cross  that  he  knows  you  need."  Speaking  elsewhere 
that  it  is  love  for  Jesus  Christ  which  should  induce 
us  to  desire  death,  she  remarks — "J'  ai  confondu 
dans  mon  amour,  et  mon  Dieu  et  le  vertueux  enfant 
qu'il  a  repris  dans  son  sein ;  c'est  vers  tous  deux  que 
mon  ame  s'elance.  Est-ce  bien?  Est-ce-mal?"  In  the 
conclusion  of  one  of  his  essays,  Fenelon  says,  O 
Dieu,  donnez  votre  amour  aux  vivants,  et  votre  paix 
aux  morts ; " — and  she  adds, — "et  la  mort  aux  deso- 
Us ! "  Let  us  my  dear  sister  pray  together  for  peace 
and  consolation  for  one  who  most  earnestly  desires 
to  be  led  into  all  truth. 

I  remember  you  were  struck  in  my  journal,  with  a 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  115 

little  account  of  my  going  out  of  Geneva,  the  only- 
sabbath  I  was  in  the  Canton,  to  Satigny  to  hear  M. 
Sarpin  preach.  The  first  words  I  heard  him  say 
were  "  Cclle-ci  n'cst  pas  notrc  veritable  patric."  He 
was  then  just  married.  I  Iiave  now  a  letter  from 
him  in  which  he  says,  "Depuis  que  Jc  no  vous  ai  vu, 
notre  Maitrc  a  juge  a  propos  de  me  retircr  les  joyes 
de  la  vie,  et  de  me  frappcr  du  plus  terrible  coup  qui 
puisse  atteindre  un  ca3ur  aimant  sur  cette  terre  de 
deuil.  II  I'a  fait  parceque  je  le  mcritois  sans  doutc, 
mais  aussi  parce  qu'il  m'aimoit.  Puisse-je  ne  plus  re- 
garder  qu'  aux  choses  invisibles,  et  m'  attachcr  de 
plus  en  plus  a  son  avenemcnt.  J'  ignore  si  je  re- 
verrai  votre  visage  sur  cette  terre  de  combats,  mon 
cher  ami,  mais  je  ne  cesserai  de  demander  pour 
vous  dans  mes  prieres  cette  grace  qui  est  meilleure 
que  la  vie.  C  est-ce-que  J'  ai  fait  bien  souvent  depuis 
les  momens  trop  courts  que  nous  avons  passe  ensem- 
ble. Votre  souvenir  rapclle  un  temps  trop  heureux 
pour  moi.  Adieu  done  mon  cher  frere.  Que  Dieu 
vous  ramene  dans  le  scin  de  votre  famille,  qu'il  vous 
donne  la  joie  de  la  retrouver  selon  votre  souhait, 
qu'il  rende  vos  travaux  fructueux  pour  bien  des 
ames,  et  qu'il  vous  donne  enfin  la  couronne  incor- 
ruptible dans  ce  beau  jour  oii  se  reportent  avcc  tant 
de  consolation  mes  pensees,  trop  souvent  abattues. 
Votre  frere  en  Christ  notre  unique  sauveur." 
Now  my  dear  sister  farewell. 


116  MEMOIRS   OP 

Havre,  April  nth,  1819. 
"  You  perceive  my  dear  friend,  that  I  am  upon  the 
edge  of  the  shore,  and  can  "lay  my  hand  on  the 
mane  of   ocean."     The    vessel  is  but  a   {ew  steps 
off,  in  which  I  go.     Your  letter  arrived  on  the  Satur- 
day, but  I  did  not  receive  it  mitil  sunday  noon,  having 
been  all  the  preceding  night  watching  at  the  house 
of  the  lady  of  whom  I  spoke  to  you,  nor  could  I  leave 
it  till  near  midnight,  as  I  only  went  home  in  time  to 
dress  for  church,  and  was  only  absent  during  the 
service.    I  w^as  there  three  nights  successively,  and 
saw  all  the  horrors  and  all  the  consolations  of  death. 
Oh  my  dear  sister,  he  is  the  king  of  terrors,  but  that 
there  is  one  mightier  than  he* —        *        *        # 

I  left  Paris  on  the  9th  at  evening  with  feehngs  dif- 
ferent from  any  I  ever  before  experienced.  I  conclud- 
ed my  ministry  in  a  sermon  from  1st  Thessalonians 
5  and  23,  on  the  last  sabbath  at  the  Oratoire.  They 
to  whom  I  had  been  made  the  instrument  of  advan- 
tage, and  they  to  whom  I  had  not,  all  expressed  re- 
gret at  my  departure,  although  they  admitted  the 
force  of  my  reasonings.  We  had  our  little  missionary 
prayer  meeting  on  monday,  and  I  concluded  all  my 
ministrations  on  thursday  evening,  in  a  familiar  ex- 
planation of  Ephesians  6th  chapter  from  the  10th  verse 
to  the  end.    I  felt  it  more  than  I  did  my  pubUc  fare- 

*  He  attended  the  remains  of  this  interesting  lady  to  the  grave,  and  a  part  of 
his  address  on  that  affecting  occasion  forms  the  concluding  chapter  of  his  little 
volume  of  Essays.    The  chapter  is  entitled  "Cemetery  of  P^re  la  Chaise." 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  117 

well,  I  had  utterance  given  me,  and  a  deep  impres- 
sion that  the  circumstances  were   affecting."       * 

*        *■        *        *        *        *         # 

On  the  23d  of  April  Mr  Bruen  sailed  from  Havre, 
and  reached  home  in  June.  His  letters,  while  he  was 
wind  bound  at  Havre  contain  many  precious  records 
of  a  grateful  heart;  but  delicacy  to  those  friends 
V^hose  society  at  Paris  he  so  highly  valued,  forbids 
quotation.  Those  friends  who  survive  to  lament  his 
early  departure,  will  readily  unite  to  say,  that  his 
piety  so  sincere,  his  mind  so  polished,  his  manners 
so  engaging,  led  them  to  feel  themselves  the  indebted, 
in  all  their  intercourse.  The  following  letter  was 
presented  to  him  the  evening  before  he  left  Paris. 

"  To  the  Rev  Mr  Bruen. 
"Sir, 

"Notwithstanding  our  regret  at  being  deprived 
of  your  pastoral  care,  we  are  compelled  by  the  same 
considerations  which  induce  you  to  leave  us  to  acqui- 
esce in  your  departure.  We  cannot  bid  you  farewell 
without  acknowledging  the  obligations  under  which 
you  have  laid  us.  That  you  should  have  come  at 
our  request  when  on  the  eve  of  returning,  after  a 
long  absence,  into  the  bosom  of  your  family,  to  la- 
bour among  us,  declining  all  reward  but  the  satisfac- 
tion of  serving  the  cause  of  religion,  entitles  you  to 
our  esteem  and  gratitude.  The  manner  in  which 
you  have  accompUshed  this  evangelical  mission,  has 


118  MEMOIRS   OF 

left  an  indelible  impression  on  our  hearts.  We  beg 
of  you  to  take  with  you,  the  assurance  of  our  sincere 
respect,  of  our  affectionate  remembrance,  and  of  our 
cordial  wishes  for  your  happiness,  and  for  the  success 
of  your  ministry." 

His  last  lines  written  in  Europe  at  that  time,  are 
characteristic  of  the  affection,  the  piety,  and  the  hope 
which  animated  the  whole  of  his  character. 

Paris,  April  9th,  1819. 
"Adieu  my  dear  sister ;  christian  adieus  are  always 
in  some  way,  au  revoir.  II  n'y  a  rien  pour  jamais 
dans  ce  monde-ci,  mais  tout  est  pour  jamais  dans 
notre  veritable  patrie.  May  your  dear  husband  be 
blessed  abundantly  with  blessings  for  his  own  soul, 
and  strength  to  feed  the  flock  until  the  Chief  Shepherd 
shall  appear.  His  word  is,  *  Watch — behold  I  come 
quickly.*    Ever,  in  every  circumstance. 

Your  friend  and  brother,  M.  B." 


MATTHIAS    BRUEI^.  119 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

Thus  terminated  Mr  Bruen's  connection  with 
France,  and  for  the  time,  with  Europe.  His  minis- 
terial diligence  may  be  inferred  from  extracts  which 
have  already  been  given  purposely  to  exhibit  it.  We 
may  refer  to  a  prayer  meeting  which  he  could  not  at- 
tend, because  he  was  with  a  sick  person ;  and  his  leav- 
ing the  dying  bed  of  a  friend  to  go  to  the  pulpit,  and 
thence  returning  without  respite,  to  watch  a  second 
and  a  third  night  by  that  friend.  These  are  occupa- 
tions in  which  none  but  a  devoted  christian  can  find 
satisfaction.  He  often  accused  himself  of  indolence. 
Those  who  observed  him  minutely,  might  be  disposed 
to  impute  what  he  called  indolence  to  lack  of  physical 
strength.  Certainly  if  he  were  naturally  indolent, 
grace  had  an  honourable  triumph  in  overcoming  na- 
ture, for  luxurious  ease  had  no  power  over  him  when 
duty  called.  In  Scotland  he  walked  eight  miles  alone 
to  re-visit  a  dying  person,  whom  he  had  previously 
seen  but  once  in  company  with  a  friend.  In  Paris  he 
searched  with  trouble  and  vexation  through  various 
streets  and  up  to  squalid  garrets,  to  find  out  the  truth 


120  MEMOIRS  OF 

of  the  story  of  a  mendicant ;  not  of  a  countryman, 
whose  claim  would  have  been  stronger,  but  of  a 
frenchman,  who  was  at  home,  and  had  no  claim  on 
an  alien  save  that  of  humanity.  His  heart  was  always 
bent  towards  the  spiritual  good  of  those  with  whom 
he  conversed,  and  many  were  his  watchful  anticipa- 
tions in  his  little  flock  at  Paris,  the  record  of  which 
remains  on  earth  only  in  his  letters.  His  heart  was 
often  humbled,  and  he  grieved  that  he  was  so  Httle 
able  to  turn  his  opportunities  to  good  account  by 
pressing  more  home  the  concerns  of  their  souls  upon 
his  friends. 

Besides  many  literary  characters  already  named 
whose  acquaintance  Mr  B.  formed  in  Europe,  we 
may  mention  Gifford,  editor  of  the  Quarterly  Re- 
view in  London;  Helen  Maria  Williams  in  Paris;  and 
a  long  train  of  philanthropists,  among  whom  the  ami- 
able Sir  Thomas  Bernard,  then  suffering  under  in- 
firmity, was  one.  Proofs  of  his  kindly  reception,  and 
subsequent  correspondence  with  several  of  these  re- 
main. John  Foster  and  Mrs  More,  in  particular, 
were  interesting  to  him.  It  is  not  a  breach  of  delica- 
cy to  insert  here  a  portion  of  a  letter  from  Mrs  More, 
whose  pubHshed  works  have  rendered  her  private 
feeHngs  peculiarly  interesting,  and  whose  frank  un- 
bosoming of  her  grief  on  the  death  of  a  sister,  to  a 
person  so  much  younger  than  herself,  and  so  far  di- 
vided from  her,  is  one  among  many  specimens  of  the 
interest  his  character  excited  even  where  he  was  but 
little  known. 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN^.  121 

FROM    MRS    H.    MORE,    BARLEY  AVOOD,    NEAR    BRISTOL. 

November  30th,  1820. 
"  I  have  particularly  to  return  you  my  cordial 
thanks  for  the  gratification  I  derived  from  the  perusal 
of  your  truly  excellent  sermon.  I  cannot  say  how 
much  I  was  pleased  with  it.  I  admire  the  good  taste 
in  which  it  is  written,  but  still  more  the  devout,  and 
holy,  and  pious  spirit  which  pervades  it.  But  the  pas- 
sages which  more  directly  refer  to  the  blessedness  of 
the  heavenly  state,  find  their  way  in  a  peculiar  man- 
ner to  my  heart,  and  not  the  less  so  for  the  personal 
circumstances  under  which  it  found  me.  I  have  had 
the  unspeakable  affliction  of  losing  my  beloved  and 
only  sister,  the  last  of  four.  I  may  say  with  the  pro- 
phet, *  My  house  is  left  unto  me  desolate.'  Her  death 
was  edifying,  as  her  life  had  been  exemplary.  Her 
sufferings  were  exquisite.  When  some  one  pitied  her 
for  them,  she  replied,  '  Oh,  I  love  my  sulTerings,  they 
come  from  God,  and  I  love  every  thing  that  comes 
from  him.'  In  her  agonies,  she  continually  declared 
her  entire  reliance  on  a  crucified  Saviour,  and  en- 
treated every  friend  and  servant  individually,  to  cling 
to  the  Cross  of  Christ  as  their  sole  hope.  She  was 
taken  in  mercy  to  herself,  from  a  w^orld  of  sin  and  sor- 
row, and  in  mercy  to  me,  by  a  gracious  God,  who 
intended  by  her  removal  to  draw  me  nearer  to  Him- 
self."        *■**.-*         *         *        *        * 

On  this  affecting  letter,  Mr  B.  remarks,  "  Ah  how 


122  MEMOIRS   OF 

changed  is  Barley  Wood  now,  from  what  I  saw  it 
when  its  mistress  seemed  placed  in  an  earthly  para- 
dise, as  a  temporal  reward  for  having  been  the  means 
of  communicating  spiritual  blessings;  how  hard  a 
separation,  after  a  seventy  years'  relationship,  and 
friendship  !" 

The  sermon  to  which  Mrs  More  alludes,  was  one 
which  Mr  B.  left  in  manuscript  in  Paris,  and  which 
his  friend  H —  took  the  charge  of  bringing  through  the 
press.     It  was  designed  as  a  valedictory  mark  of  af- 
fection for  his  friends  there,  and  is  exactly  what  Mrs 
More  calls  it.     About  the  reception  of  this  sermon, 
his  friends  naturally  inquired  and  felt  solicitous,  as  it 
was  his  first  printed  effort,  written  as  he  said  currente 
calamo,  and  left  behind  him  unpublished.     Such  inqui- 
ries produced  from  him  the  following  little  statement, 
which  would  not  otherwise  have  been  made : — "  I 
lately  received  from  Madame  La  Marquise,  a  MS. 
translation  of  my  sermon  into  French,  and  you  will 
believe  that  I  have  sentiment  enough  to  value  it  the 
more,  that  it  is  in  her  own  hand-writing.     It  is  done 
with  great  taste  and  judgment.     Though  this  be  a  flat- 
tering mark  of  her  attention,  yet  in  reality  I  have  re- 
ceived it  much  more  as  a  mark  of  kindness ;  and  as  I 
remember  her  telling  me,  not  without  emotion,  that 
she  had  continually  remarked  my  anxiety  for  her  ad- 
vancement in  religious  knowledge,  I  w^ould  hope  that 
evangelical  principles  are  not  so  far  sacrificed  to  ele- 
gant diction,  in  these  few  pages,  but  that  the  examina- 
tion of  them  may  have  been  of  benefit  to  her." 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  123 

His  delight  on  revisiting  his  native  land,  and  meet- 
ing again  with  those  who  were  ever  on  his  heart 
during  his  absence,  was  exquisite.     For  the  first  few 
months,  his  letters  were  filled  with  affectionate  delinea- 
tions of  the  character  and  appearance  of  each  dear 
friend ;  with  descriptions  of  the  grandeur  and  beau- 
ty of  the    natural   scenery,   and  with   remarks   on 
the  manners  of  his  countrymen,  which  exhibited  a 
degree  of  drollery,  the   fruit,  probably,  of  his  hap- 
piness, which  was  not  one  of  his  general  character- 
istics.    But  in  the  midst  of  this,  he  never  lost  sight 
of  the  leading  object  of  his  life,  that  of  preaching  the 
everlasting  gospel   to   a  thoughtless   world.      Thus, 
shortly  after  his  return,  he  expresses  a  strong  wish  to 
be  employed  entirely  in  ministerial  work,  and  a  fear 
that  his  present  leisure  is  not  improved  as  it  might  be. 
He  was  much  employed  in  desultory  preaching  to 
assist  friends  in  the  vicinity,  and  sometimes,  when  he 
could  assemble  a  few  people  in  a  school-house,  near 
his  father's  country  residence,  he  addressed  them  oc- 
casionally on  a  week-day  evening.     One  of  his  de- 
scriptions of  himself  will  give  a  specimen  of  his  occu- 
pations at  this  time. 

Brighton  House,  October  12th,  1819. 

"  I  was  so  suddenly  obliged  to  close  my  last,  that  I 

could  not  tell  you  of  my  special  religious  occupations, 

nor  of  the  primitive  figure  I  have  cut  across  the  river, 

here,  among  the  sands  of  South  Amboy,  with  my  coat 


124  MEMOIRS   OF 

off,  traversing  the  hills  of  a  sultry  morning.  I  had  a 
deserted  Baptist  nneeting  house  to  preach  in  the  other 
Sunday,  the  monument  of  desolation  itself,  a  barn- 
looking  edifice,  without  a  single  pane  of  glass  remain- 
ing, each  corner  filled  with  ruined  benches,  all  painted 
gray  by  the  hand  of  time,  for  man  never  thought  it 
worth  while  to  colour  any  part  of  it.  There  was  a 
window  in  the  north  to  enlighten  the  preacher,  and  as 
it  blew  furiously  from  the  north  west,  no  two  hairs  of 
my  head  lay  together,  and  when  I  caught  hold  of  the 
pulpit  to  prevent  my  being  blown  away,  I  found  it  so 
frail  as  to  require  prudent  handling.  But  to  come  to 
better  things;  I  preached  extemporaneously  for  forty 
minutes,  with  more  satisfaction  than  I  ever  did  in  like 
way,  and  in  spite  of  my  manner,  succeeded  by  the 
matter  in  gaining  fixed  attention." 

In  other  letters,  he  mentions  preaching  twice  in  a 
sultry  day  at  Woodbridge,  and  then  in  the  evening  in 
the  school  house  at  Amboy,  and  sometimes  in  farm- 
houses in  the  vicinity.  His  judgment  of  his  own  pub- 
lic appearances,  seems  always  to  have  been  severe, — 
so  much  so,  as  to  discourage  him.  His  own  mind, 
alive  in  a  remarkable  degree,  to  the  animating  power 
of  eloquence,  formed  an  ideal  excellence  which  he 
could  never  attain.  His  soul,  jealous  of  its  own  sin- 
cerity, with  a  godly  jealousy,  could  not  take  any  plea- 
sure from  reciting  words  to  his  auditors,  along  with 
which  his  own  feelings  did  not  go  with  a  truthful  sym- 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  135 

pathy.     Therefore  he  was  often  dejected  wlien  he 
found  himself  delivering   from  the  pulpit  with  con- 
straint, what  in  his   closet  had  been  composed  under 
the  most  solemn  impressions,  and  in  the  spirit  of  pray- 
er.    It  is  a  mark  of  a  superior  mind,  to  form  great 
conceptions,  and  aim  at  realizing  them;  and  it  is  a  fruit 
of  the  Holy  Spirit's  work  in  such  a  mind,  to  be  con- 
tinually "  reaching  forw^ard  to  the  things  that  arc  be- 
fore."    Thus,  when  a  soul  has  fixed  its  aim,  either  in 
devotional  exercises  or  useful  knowledge,  far  beyond 
its  attainments ;  it  is  in  a  state  of  perpetual  self-disap- 
pointment ;  of  ceaseless  thirst     He  exclaims  in  grief, 
"  Ah,  my  religion  is  always  future,  my  usefulness  is 
always  in  prospect."     Yet  it  is  very  obvious  to  the 
looker  on,  that  this  state  of  mind,  if  not  carried  so  far 
as  to  depress  the  spirit,  is  of  all  others  the  most  salu- 
tary.    To  have  greatly  designed,  is  well — To  have 
greatly  dared  is  noble — To  be  disappointed  is  human 
— and  out  of  these  designs,  these  darings,  and  these 
disappointments,  hath  God  wrought  the  very  spirit 
that  cannot  rest  till  it  is  carried  on  unto  perfection. 
Under  the  pressure  of  casual  deadness  of  spirit,  or  dis- 
appointment on  falling  short  of  his  aims,  Mr  B.  often 
wrote  mournfully;  and  anticipated  trials,  which  he 
supposed  would  have  a  sanctifying  and  quickening 
effect  on  him.     Little  did  those  who  saw  him  sur- 
rounded by  all  the  luxuries  of  life,  all  the  blandish- 
ments of  friendship,  and  all  the  appliances  of  the  study 
that  he  delighted  in,  ween  of  the  bitter  thinf^s  that  he 


126  MEMOIRS   OF 

wrote  against  himseir — as  thus : — "  I  have  fatigued 
myself  with  arranging  my  old  letters  and  papers,  and 
my  head  is  full  of  recollections,  and  my  heart  a  little 
touched,  when  I  look  over  Dr  Waugh's  notes  about 
my  ordination,  and  the  excellent,  dear  Dr  Pye  Smith's. 
What  a  period  was  that  in  my  history !  How  have  I 
fulfilled  the  expectations  of  such  devoted  men.  How 
do  I  now  waste  the  time  of  a  consecrated  man !  Sure- 
ly no  lonely  stranger  ever  received  so  much  personal 
kindness." 

Brighton  House,  July  20th,  1820. 
"Last  sabbath  after  preaching  twice  at  Wood- 
bridge,  I  returned  to  address  a  full  school  room  here, 
with  [some  soul  and  comfort.  But  last  night  I  had 
no  freedom  even  upon  such  a  topic  as  Jesus  the  bread 
of  life.  Oh,  if  I  live,  I  know  I  shall  have  afflictions  to 
rend  my  heart,  hands  lopped  off  and  eyes  plucked 
out,  to  make  me  speak  from  the  experience  of  soul- 
rending  sorrow,  about  the  fulness  of  consolation 
which  is  in  the  shepherd  of  Israel."  Now  that  his 
pilgrimage  is  closed,  it  is  a  subject  of  heart-felt  thank- 
fulness to  those  who  knew  all  his  griefs  and  disap- 
pointments, to  be  convinced  that  he  was  spared  such 
anguish  as  his  thoughts  of  his  own  need  of  chastise- 
ment led  him  to  anticipate ;  and  to  know  that  while 
he  had  his  share  of  the  bitter  herb  that  ever  mingles 
in  the  cup  of  humanity,  he  had  also  his  share  of  those 
sweet  and  supporting  consolations  which  spring  from 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN-.  127 

the  fountain  of  life.  Now  his  sorrows  are  all  swal- 
lowed up  ni  joy.  O  that  those  for  whom  he  prayed, 
on  whose  account  he  grieved  that  his  attainments  were 
not  more  equal  to  his  ideas  of  what  they  ought  to  have 
been,  may  derive  the  teaching  from  his  loss,  which 
even  in  heaven  will  add  to  his  felicity,  and  cause  joy 
amoniT  the  ansrcls  of  God. 

Mr  B.  was  now  at  that  period  of  a  young  minister's 
life,  which  is  most  trying  to  many  of  his  graces. — 
The  period  when  he  waited  until  the  head  of  the 
church  should  fix  his  field  of  labour.  It  is  exciting 
to  the  pride  of  a  youth  who  has  just  begun  to  call  his 
talents  into  exercise,  after  passing  years  in  prepara- 
tion, to  see  himself  placed  as  a  competitor  with 
others  who  may  outstrip  him.  It  is  trying  to  his  in- 
tegrity to  preach  before  those  whose  favour  he  may 
secure  by  adopting  some  peculiar  strain  of  preaching, 
— or  who  may  be  propitiated  and  influenced  by 
private  and  flattering  attentions.  It  is  trying  to  his 
faith,  to  leave  this  matter  so  important  to  him,  entirely 
in  the  hands  of  God. 

Among  many  details  of  that  interesting  period,  one 
must  not  be  passed  over,  which  is  probably  unknown 
even  to  the  individual  whose  future  lot  was  materially 
influenced  by  it.  Mr  B.  was  invited  to  preach  in  a 
city  in  the  south,  with  a  view  to  his  being  appointed 
pastor  of  a  congregation  of  the  first  respectability 
there.  In  the  steam  packet  by  which  he  travelled, 
he  met  with  a  young  clergyman  whom  he  estimated 


128  MEMOIRS   OF 

highly,  and  who  was  proceeding  to  a  still  more  south- 
ern station.  Mr  B.  with  that  scriptural  lowliness  of 
mind  wdiich  disposes  each  to  esteem  other  better  than 
himself,  procured  this  gentleman  to  be  invited  to 
preach  in  passing,  in  that  church  where  he  himself 
came  as  a  candidate ;  on  the  principle  that  it  was  his 
earnest  prayer,  that  if  any  other  man  could  do  more 
good  in  that  congregation,  he  should  be  called.  The 
result  of  this  invitation  was,  that  his  young  friend 
came  in  character  of  his  rival,  and  was  elected  pastor, 
an  event  which  the  generous  spirit  of  our  friend 
hailed  with  entire  satisfaction. 

Circumstances  led  Mr  Bruen  to  re-visit  Great  Bri- 
tain in  January,  1821.  Never  was  long  absent 
brother  welcomed  with  a  purer  joy,  than  was  Mr  B. 
when  he  again,  as  he  said,  "  took  refuge  in  his  Scot- 
tish home."  The  February,  March,  and  April  of 
1821,  stand  marked  in  the  calendar  of  memory,  as  a 
period  of  many  pleasing  conferences  and  spiritual 
exercises,  and  also  as  a  period  when  mutual  sympa- 
thy, bestowed  and  reflected  its  much  needed  consola- 
tions on  us  all.  During  that  time  he  was  destined 
to  learn  the  afl!licting  event  of  the  death  of  a  beloved 
sister,  whom  he  had  left  in  the  bloom  of  youth  and 
health.  His  dutiful  regrets  that  he  was  not  there  to 
soothe  his  parents,  almost  swallowed  up  at  first  the 
blessed  consolation  that  was  oflfered  to  him,  by  the 
hope  that  was  in  his  sister's  death.  The  anguish  of 
his  spirit  arising  from  this  cause  was  tranquilized  by 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  129 

the  submission  wliich  reposes  on  the  Divine  wisdom 
and  goodness.  "  If,"  said  he,  "  this  blow  has  fallen 
at  this  juncture,  specially  to  rebuke  my  selfishness 
in  leaving  my  home  when  I  did,  even  so.  Father,  I 
am  chastised.  I  bow  beneath  the  rod ;  only  let  not 
any  of  my  beloved  kindred  suffer  for  my  fault" 
What  a  source  of  reconciliation  to  the  lighter  and  se- 
verer dispensations  of  providence  is  found,  in  first 
believing  and  afterwards  experiencing,  that  all  these 
things  arc  certainly  and  infallibly  portions  of  the  dis- 
cipline which  tends  to  form  the  character  for  its  use- 
fulness on  earth,  and,  as  he  once  beautifully  wrote, 
"  to  work  the  die,  which  moulds  our  eternity."  Dur- 
ing this  visit  we  saw  continually  new  developments 
of  christian  principle,  and  the  force  and  energy  of  a 
spirit,  which  in  his  later  years,  brought  him  forth  a 
good  soldier  of  Christ,  without  diminishing  the  tender- 
ness or  injuring  the  refinement  of  his  character.  His 
conscience  became  more  intelligent  and  more  enlight- 
ened as  he  trod  the  paths  of  life,  and  tliough  his  soul 
had  found  refuge  in  the  finished  work  of  his  Saviour, 
there  was  none  of  that  benumbing  kind  of  security, 
which  is  sometimes  too  apparent  in  the  lives  of  be- 
lievers. His  refuge  was  not  that  of  a  slothful,  luxuri- 
ous repose,  but  of  a  lively,  observant,  watchful  duti- 
fulness.  He  was  the  more  solicitous  to  purify  himself 
and  to  be  conformed  to  the  will  of  his  Father,  in  pro- 
portion as  he  felt  in  himself  the  witness  of  the  Spirit, 
that  he  was  indeed  born  of  God. 


130  MEMOIRS  OP 

During  that  period  also,  were  his  Scottish  friends 
visited  by  a  trying  dispensation,  in  the  sickness,  not 
unto  death,  but  to  the  very  verge  of  the  grave,  of  their 
eldest  born.      If  Mr  Brucn  thought  himself  at  all  a 
debtor  to  them  for  their  regard,  now  was  the  time 
that  it  was  overpaid,  for  now  was  he  exhibited  in  the 
double  character  of  the  tenderest  nurse,  and  the  most 
soothing  and  encouraging  christian  pastor.  Whether  it 
were  to  watch  out  the  midnight  hours  by  the  sick  bed, 
to  lave  the  burning  temples,  or  to  moisten  the  parched 
lips ; — whether  it  were  to  whisper  reasons  of  hope,  or 
motives  to  submission  unto  the  trembling  hearts  of  the 
parents ;  or  whether  it  were  to  pour  out  those  peti- 
tions which  their  choaked  voices  could  not  utter,  he 
was  every  thing  that  a  brother  in  adversity  can  be. 
He  despised  fatigue,  he  forgot  his  own  griefs ;  he  was 
in  those  protracted  days  and  nights  of  sorrow,  all  that 
he  has  since  been  at  home  to  those  now  bereaved 
ones,  with  whom  they  share  a  kindred  and  domestic 
anguish  in  the  thought  that  he  can  minister  to  none  of 
them  any  more. 

Let  it  not  be  thought  too  minute  to  dwell  on  such 
incidents  as  these.  They  exhibit  the  less  conspicuous 
points  of  a  character,  beautiful  for  its  harmony ;  and 
he  must  be  a  very  defective  christian,  who  is  only 
energetic  in  his  public  duties,  only  edifying  and  sooth- 
ing in  his  professional  visits  to  the  sick.  The  gentle- 
ness and  sympathy  of  the  follower  of  Christ,  are  best 
exercised  in  that  retirement  which  is  sacred  from  the 
inspection  of  the  world. 


MATTHIAS   BRUEN  131 


•      CHAPTER    IX. 

On  the  26th  of  April  our  brother  quitted  Scotland 
for  the  last  time.  Among  the  relics  of  that  affecting 
period  is  a  copy  of  "  Guthrie's  Trial  of  a  Saving  In- 
terest in  Christ,"  which  he  says, "  first  made  me  hope  I 
was  converted  to  the  faith  of  the  gospel.  Every  page 
is  consecrated  by  sacred  recollections."  Ilis  name  is 
written  in  it  in  a  school-boy  hand;  the  date  is  1813, 
so  that  we  may  conclude  he  experienced  some  strong 
exercises  of  mind  about  that  time.  On  the  first  of 
May  he  sailed  from  Liverpool,  sending  his  parting 
blessings  on  shore  by  the  pilot.  A  few  extracts  from 
what  he  wrote  at  sea,  may  be  interesting,  as  exhibit- 
ing the  continual  bent  of  his  mind,  and  the  improving 
reflections  which  suggested  themselves  to  him,  even 
on  subjects  apparently  remote  from  spiritual  con- 
cerns. 

The  Albion  at  head,  May  26th,  1821. 

"When  I  commenced  writing  this  sheet,  we  were 
in  a  dead  calm,  the  sea  smoother  than  I  ever  saw  it 
before,  like  the  surface  of  one  measureless  lake,  re- 
flecting   the    clouds  and    sunshine  Hkc    a    sheet  of 


r^rSr 


132  MEMOIRS   OF 

molten  glass.  We  then  had  occasion  to  perceive 
how  the  ocean  is  peopled,  and  amused  ourselves  with 
taking  the  strange  varieties"of  living  matter  and  shell- 
fish, which  floated  by.  After  two  days  of  this  strange 
weather,  the  sky  grew  dark  and  every  thing  betoken- 
ed a  change  of  some  sort.  I,  who  have  been  very 
much  in  the  habit  of  turning  night  into  day,  past  mid- 
night enjoyed*  the  magnificent  scene  of  the  moon 
peering  out  of  the  dark  clouds,  piled  up  like  castles 
to  the  very  zenith,  the  opposite  side  of  the  heavens 
being  filled  with  electric  clouds  flashing  continually. 
Being  then  under  close  sail,  with  a  good  stiff*  breeze, 
it  was  indeed  a  sublime  scene.  One  who  has  not 
been  at  sea,  can  scarcely  imagine  the  uncertainty  of 
this  most  fickle  of  all  elements — the  wind.  The  fol- 
lowing night,  for  the  first  time,  I  was  alarmed ;  I  had 
been  on  deck,  and  found  it  raining,  and  that  we  were 
enveloped  in  Egyptian  darkness,  and  not  a  breath  of 
wind  stirring.  It  was  indeed  more  frightful  than  the 
loudest  roar  of  a  tempest.  Just  as  I  got  into  bed,  a 
peal  of  thunder  was  heard,  and  a  vivid  burst  of 
lightning  illuminated  the  cabin.  The  captain  ran 
down  to  tell  the  amateurs  of  the  "sublime,  that  a  me- 
teor had  lighted  on  the  mizen  top  mast.  Before  I 
could  get  up,  however,  it  had  exploded  and  vanished. 
For  twelve  hours  or  more  after,  we  had  a  fine  fair 
wind,  by  the  favour  of  which  we  ran  ofl^  ten  or  twelve 
knots  an  hour  with  great  satisfaction.  But  no  human 
comfort  is  lasting ;  there  tame  a  calm,  during  which 


MATTHIAS    BRUEPf.  133 

I  thought,' what  must  now  be  our  condition,  if  lie 
who  holds  the  winds  in  his  fist,  were  just  to  let  us 
alone.  Ah !  we  need  no  more  than  to  be  left  to  our- 
selves in  many  ways  besides  physically,  to  come 
speedily  to  misery  and  death.  We  are  here,  ninety 
six  souls,  a  cow,  pigs,  sheep  and  poultry  to  consume 
the  water,  without  which,  we  cannot  exist. 

For  some  days  we  were  suflbring  from  excessive 
heat ;  we  are  now  freezing  cold.  This  morning  has 
shown  us  the  cause,  which  we  imagined  before.  We 
are  now  sailing  with  majestic  mountains  of  ice  iloat- 
inff  on  each  side  of  us." 


*& 


Albion,  at  Sea,  June  4th. 
"  We  seem  to  have  gathered  all  sorts  of  wonders 
into  this  voyage,  and  as  our  captain  says,  need  only  a 
gale  of  wind  to  complete  our  cabinet  of  curiosities. 
We  saw  fifty  or  sixty  mountains  of  ice,  and  approach- 
ed so  near  some  of  them  as  lo  sec  the  waves  dash  into 
the  little  cavities  and  coves,  which  the  action  of  the 
sea  had  made.  There  are  miseries  attached  to  all 
sorts  of  people.  If  you  wish  to  learn  a  seaman's  mis- 
eries, imagine  that  you  have  been  twenty-three  days 
m  the  western  ocean,  baffled  by  the  most  contrary 
winds.  When,  just  as  the  wind  changes,  and  you  pre- 
pare to  run  off  ten  miles  an  hour,  you  fall  in  with  the 
ice-bergs,  which  force  you  to  take  in  sail  and  lay  to, 
for  the  night,  fearing  each  moment,  that  the  wind  come 
round  ahead  again."        *        *        *        * 


134  MEMOIRS   OF 

"  I  must  not  stop  till  I  tell  you  of  my  dreams  of 
home,  and  of  future  life,  if  there  be  much  of  my  life  that 
is  future.  I  cannot  express  to  you,  what  a  resource 
I  feel  in  the  affection  of  my  friends.  I  have  few  wish- 
es, or  hopes,  for  myself,  and  not  one  that  does  not  con- 
sist with  instant  and  perfect  sanctification,  as  I  think 
I  could  consent  with  joy  to  be  stript  of  every  earthly 
affection  and  delight,  if  I  could  be  made  an  able  min- 
ister of  the  New  Testament.  And  yet,  doubtless,  my 
safety  is  only  in  the  absence  of  temptation.  *  ♦ 
*  *  *  May  God  fill  my  heart  with  grief,* 
and  my  mouth  with  arguments ;  and  may  I  expose  all 
the  evil  of  sin,  all  its  deceitfulness,  all  its  vileness ;  and 
from  my  own  experience  too,  may  I  show  the  fulness 
of  pardoning  mercy  in  Jesus  Christ." 

On  the  11th  of  June  Mr  Bruen  once  more  reached 
his  native  soil,  and  left  the  friendly  Albion.  How  like 
a  knell  did  it  go  to  our  hearts,  when  after  a  few  more 
voyages,  that  good  ship  went  down  on  the  southern 
coast  of  Ireland,  with  his  friend  Professor  Fisher  on 
board.  How  did  we  remember  with  gratitude  that 
a  few  months  before,  when  she  had  tossed  for  days 
within  view  of  Waterford  and  Wexford,  she  still  was 
kept  afloat,  and  our  friend  restored  to  his  home  in 
safety.  Yet,  but  eight  years  more  have  w^e  lived  to 
lose  him.  But  how  important  an  eight  years ; — years 
spent  in  labours  of  love,  in  preaching  the  everlasting 

*  Meaning  penitent  grief. 


MATTHIAS    BRUEY.  135 

gospel ;  in  breaking  up  the  high  ways  for  the  ^lad  ti- 
dings to  the  remoter  regions  of  his  own  beloved  coun- 
try ;  in  forming  plans  for  introducing  the  gospel  of 
peace  to  countries  which  he  never  saw.  Plow  pre- 
cious is  time !  When  spent  in  God's  service,  how  may 
a  year,  a  month,  a  day,  added  to  life,  be  the  means  of 
making  some  soul  bless  us  for  eternity.  When  mis- 
spent— dreadful  thought! — no  one  sins  alone.  We 
may  be  the  instruments  of  plunging  others  into  that 
doleful  gulph,  wdiose  most  fearful  misery  is,  that  it  is 
far  from  God,  that  its  tenants  are  banished  from  his 
presence,  that  they  will  never  sec  His  blessed  counte- 
nance in  peace. 

It  cannot  fail  to  interest  many  who  felt  the  wreck 
of  the  Albion,  as  a  disaster  which  shocked  all  their 
feelings  of  security,  to  read  the  first  expression  of 
Mr  Bruen's  emotions  on  that  melancholy  event,  and, 
therefore,  we  insert  what  he  wrote  on  tiie  subject,  a 
little  before  it  occurred  in  order  of  time. 

New  York,  June  1st,  1822. 
"  Of  vi^hat  should  I  write,  but  this  awful  event,  the 
shipwreck  of  the  Albion !  It  has  struck  every  body 
with  dismay.  The  murder  of  an  hundred  thousand 
Turks  and  Russians,  which  news  we  were  expecting, 
would  have  been  nothing  to  it !  And  I,  who  have  so 
often  heard  her  timbers  creak  under  me  without  fear 
and  with  only  a  fool-hardy  fatalist's  confidence,  rode 
with  her  in  grandeur,  over  the  topmost  waves  in  a 


136  MEMOIRS   OF 

tempest — now  sit  quietly  at  home  to  hear  that  she  is 
shattered  into  ten  thousand  pieces.  No  ship  ever  left 
this  port  under  better  auspices.  One  of  the  strongest 
vessels  that  floated,  a  most  experienced  and  able  com- 
mander, who  has  been  travelling  that  track  from  his 
infancy,  a  full  and  powerful  crew — all  gone  like  a 
dream !  The  thought  affects  me,  how  often  I  have 
Iain  in  my  state  room,  and  heard  the  w^atcrs  gurgling, 
and  howling,  just  at  my  ear — one  plank  between — and 
when  the  storm  was  high,  listened  to  thcii'  roar,  as  if 
there  were  ten  thousand  ravening  sea  monsters,  and 
cared  little  for  it  all.  Oh,  what  horror  was  there 
when  all  these  timbers  parted,  as  if  drawn  apart  and 
shivered  by  a  giant's  force !  And  then  the  despera- 
tion of  the  picture  of  that  poor  woman  running  on 
that  deck  and  shrieking,  till  the  sea  bore  all  down ! — 

It  is  not  difficult  to  make  me  weep,  but  I  have  wept 
in  the  night.  All  the  city  has  been  thunderstruck. 
We  have  been  feeling  it  as  secure  to  go  to  England 
as  to  Amboy.  When  we  were  at  sea  in  her  last  year 
one  of  the  passengers  said  cheerfully  at  supper  during 
a  storm,  "  Fear  not  ladies,  we  are  all  insured  in  New 
York  at  one  per  cent."  Such  was  the  risk  here  on 
'change,  ninety-nine  chances  in  the  hundred  that  she 
should  have  gone    safely.      One  of   the   Insurance 

Offices,  in  which  is  a  Director,  took  the  risk 

at  half  a  per  cent  in  her  this  voyage,  for  several  thou- 
sand dollars.  She  had,  it  is  said,  three  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars  in  specie  on  board,  a  very  small  part  in- 


MATTHIAS    RRUEN.  137 

surcd.  Ah  !  but  who  insures  lives !  Captain  Williams 
has  left  a  wife  and  seven  children.  He  was  a  "real 
favourite  with  every  body,  particularly  with  the 
owners,  who  are  building  a  noble  ship  for  him.  This 
was  to  be  and  is !  his  last  voyage  in  the  Albion. 

Professor  Fisher  to  whom  I  gave  letters  to  Mr  I>. 
and  Dr  Brewster,  and  a  parcel  of  books  for  Dr 
Brewster,  occupied  the  same  state  room  in  which  I 
came  home.  He  dined  in  my  company  just  before 
he  sailed,  and  we  talked  of  the  no  danger  of  the  voy- 
age. I  trust  he  was  truly  ready,  however,  to  die. 
He  was  though  under  thirty,  one  of  the  most  dis- 
tinguished mathematicians  of  the  country.  A  very 
profound  article  of  his,  stands  in  Silliman's  Journal  of 
Science.     It  is  upon  music.  *  #  #         * 

So  one  is  taken  and  another  left — what  another ! 
All  the  ships  in  port  hung  out  their  flags  at  half-mast, 
when  the  news  arrived.  You  know  the  first  Saturday 
night  I  was  at  sea,  that  terrific  Saturday  night  you 
wrote  me  about,  when  I  slept  quietly  in  the  gale ;  we 
were  within  less  than  fifty  miles  of  this  spot,  and  I  re- 
member hearing  Captain  Williams  speak  of  the  dan- 
gers of  the  sunken  rocks  at  Old  Kinsale, — the  fatal, 
fated  spot !  How  often  have  I  heard  the  Captain  say 
that  the  ship  ran  so  near  the  wind,  that  he  could  al- 
ways stand  off  a  lee  shore." 

August  28th,  1822. 

"Dr  Beecher  told  me  that  some  one  from  New- 
Haven  was  in  Kinsale  at  the  time  of  the  shipwreck,  to 

T 


138  MEMOIRS   OF 

whom  the  only  cabin  passenger  saved  from  the  Albion 
communicated  these  particulars.  That  Prof.  Fisher 
was  very  much  hurt  by  the  first  fall  of  the  masts,  and 
then  went  below  and  got  into  his  birth — my  birth ! 
and  sat  there  with  a  compass  in  his  hand.  Mr 
O —  being  the  last  one  who  left  the  cabin,  asked 
Mr  Fisher  if  he  did  not  intend  to  come  upon  deck ; 
he  answered  no.  What  a  situation!  In  the  cabin 
with  a  compass,  marking  which  way  the  wind  was  dri- 
ving, for  till  the  last  they  hoped  the  wind  would  come 
offshore  and  save  them." 


MATTHIAS    BRUEX.  139 


CIIAPTEH    X. 

For  some  months  after  his  return  at  this  time  Mr 
Brucn  appears  to  have  had  more  dejection  of  heart, 
than  at  any  former  period.  This  probably  arose,  in 
part,  from  his  not  having  exerted  himself  with  all  his 
vigour  in  his  Master's  business.  There  is  no  rest  for 
the  christian,  especially  in  this  age,  but  in  benevolent 
action.  God's  demand  is  now  so  urgent  for  the  ut- 
most efforts  of  his  people  in  converting  the  world, 
that  one  can  hardly  hope  to  save  his  own  soul,  in 
any  other  way,  than  by  seeldng  to  save  the  souls  of 
others.  We  have  seen  how  deeply  he  felt  the  require- 
ments of  the  Divine  law,  and  the  claims  of  redeeming 
love,  and  how  vivid  were  his  impressions  of  the  holi- 
ness of  God — and  we  may  readily  suppose  that  so 
enlightened  and  tender  a  spirit  could  not  be  at  peace 
under  the  conscience  of  delinquency  in  meeting  this 
demand.  We  mean,  not  that  his  faculties  were  idle 
in  Christ's  service,  but  that  what  would  have  satisfied 
a  less  gifted  and  less  susceptible  mind,  fell  for  below 
his  sense  of  obhgation;  and  that  it  was  impossible  he 
should  be  happy,  except  in  a  sphere  in  which  his  un- 


140  MEMOIRS   OF 

wonted  and  glowing  energy  might  completely  and 
succesfully  exert  itself. 

Having  said  thus  much,  it  may  be  useful,  without 
other  arrangement  than  that  which  is  furnished  by 
dates,  to  give  extracts  from  his  letters  at  this  peri- 
od. Doubtless  his  soul-searchings,  will  strike  kindred 
chords  in  many  hearts,  and  may  be  means  of  guid- 
ance or  consolation  to  spirits  tried  as  his  was. 

Brighton  House,  July  4th,  1821. 
"  My  character  is  altering  fast.  I  hope  mending. 
Though  I  have  little  consolation  in  religious  duties, 
I  am  more  attentive  to  them  than  ever.  The  world 
is  a  blank  and  desolation  to  a  degree  it  never  was 
before.  Even  general  literature  is  losing  its  enticing 
charm.  Practical  divinity  I  hope  to  make  all  my 
study,  and  it  is  even  possible  that  the  spirit  of  God 
may  make  me,  unworthy,  miserable,  vile  me,  an  able, 
and  faithful,  and  useful  minister  of  the  new  testament ! 
Pray  for  me  my  dear  friend." 

Brighton  House,  August  7th,  1821. 
"J —  W —  dead !  I  seem  to  have  been  treading 
on  the  edge  of  the  invisible  world  since  I  came 
home,  and  the  vanity  of  this  brief  scene  of  Hfe  so  fills 
my  heart,  that  it  is  not  easy  to  keep  out  the  sentiment 
that  there  are  few  immortal  mortal  men,  who  should 
not  rue  the  day  that  they  were  born.  All  the  elastici- 
ty of  life  will  be  pressed  out  of  me,  if  I  get  not  more 


MATTHIAS    nRUEN.  HI 

christian  consolation.  J —  W —  irrecoverably  dead !" 
"I  never  preach  in  the  city  without  acute  pain, 
caused  perhaps  partly  by  pride,  but  greatly  by  self- 
disappointment  and  conviction  of  inefficient  labours. 
I  would  hide  myself  somewhere." 

Brighton  House,  October  20th,  1821. 
"  Since  I  wrote  last,  I  have  been  on  a  i)ilgrimage 

to   A .      The   church    where   I    was    invited    to 

preach  is  very  large — a  great  proportion  rich,  worldly 
minded  people.  Their  minister,  about  a  year  since 
was  suspended  and  dismissed  for  the  sin  of  intemper- 
ance. I  have  thought  it  possible  if  God  intend  me 
as  a  monument  of  everlasting  displeasure,  that  I 
shall  be  carried  there,  and  left  to  fall  into  atrocious 
crimes,  as  those  have  done  who  have  preceded  me 
in  the  service  of  the  church  in  that  place.  A — , 
has  been  frightfully  unfortunate  in  its  ministers. — 
Two  of  different  denominations,  disgraced,  were 
at  the  same  time  living  there.  It  would  have  been 
better  not  to  have  crossed  the  ocean  safe  than  to  be 
reserved  for  the  sad  destiny  of  falling  like  a  star  and 
drawing  a  third  part  of  heaven  with  me.  God  forbid. 
But  most  frequently  more  encouraging  reflections 
present  themselves.  I  lectured  there  in  the  evenings 
extempore,  to  a  large  audience,  and  the  ancient 
christian  women  thanked  me,  and  they  at  whose  feet 
I  should  have  sat,  for  knowledge  of  the  scriptures, 
and  for  evangelical  spirit,  told  mc  how  they  were 


142  MEMOIRS   OF 

comforted,  excited,  encouraged.     Oh,  there  is  such  a 
thing  as  divine  help,  even  to  such  a  worthless  wretch 
as  I. — But  then,  this  falling  away !    I  preach  the  doc- 
trine that  God  pardons  sins.      If  any  other  person 
were  to  tell  me  of  the   sort  of  repentance  I  feel,  the 
strivings  against  iniquity  which  I  find  in  my  heart — 
yes,  and  God  be  thanked,  the  victories  I  sometimes 
have,  I  should  speak  peace  to  him,  who  had  been,  as  I 
have  been,  the  chief  of  sinners.        %        *        *        * 
Oh  God  of  mercy— son   of  God  so  full  of  compas- 
sion   stretch  forth  thy  hand,  and  save  me.     1  shall 
not  pretend  to  describe   the  intense  feeling  of  joy 
and  fear  with  which  I  read  your  letter  written  im- 
mediately after  my  departure.     1  could  go  over  all 
its  particulars,  and  make  a  discourse  out  of  each  line. 
If  I  am  not  capable  of  making  observations  in  your 
style,  I  feel  all  the  force  of  it.     When  you  express 
your  wish  that  Owen*  had  explained  how  some  are 
suffered  to  fall  for  God's  glory,  I  suppose  it  should  be 
that  God  is  glorified  as  securing  by  these  liiaowTig,  a 
greater  sum  of  happiness  in  his  kingdom  than  could 
have  been  otherwise  attained.f      For  at  first  view 

*  On  indwelling  sin. 

t  Bishop  Hall  in  his  contemplation  on  "  Nathan  and  David,"  well  illustrates 
the  manner  in  which  God  glorifies  himself  by  not  interposing  at  once  to  hinder  the 
greatest  sins.  "  It  might  have  pleased  God  as  easily,  to  have  sent  Nathan  to 
check  David  in  his  first  purpose  of  sinning;  so  had  his  eyes  been  restrained, 
Bathsheba  honest.and  Uriah  alive  with  honour:  Now  the  wisdom  of  the  Almighty 
knew  how  to  win  more  glory,  by  the  permission  of  so  foul  an  evil,  than  by  the 
prevention.  Yea,  he  knew  how  by  the  permission  of  one  sin,  to  prevent  millions. 
IIow  many  thousands  had  sinned  in  a  vain  presumption  on  their  own  strength,  if 


MATTHIAS   nnuEN.  143 

among  men,  certainly  it  is  never  for  God's  glory  as 
a  benevolent  being,  that  his  professed  people  fall. 
God's  plan  for  saving  sinners,  the  angels  study  with 
amazement  *  *  *  So  you  have  changed 
your  view  of  heaven.  It  should  indeed  be  enough 
for  us,  that  Christ  is  there.  I  have  been  exceedingly 
busy  ever  since  my  return  home,  and  have  at  times 
some  very  bright  visions  of  wearing  out  my  frame  in 
Christ's  cause." 

Brighton  House,  November  23d,  1821. 
*  **  The  scenes  I  have  lately  gone  through  have  given 
me  a  more  perfect  insight  into  my  character,  than  I 
ever  had  before,  and  if  it  has  taught  me  a  thousand 
latent  evils,  it  has  also  shown  me  that  some  things 
which  I  thought  pecuHar  or  inherent,  were  onlyn^om- 
mon  or  accidental.  I  grew  up  with  the  notion  that  I 
was  selfish,  for  when  a  child,  I  always  wished  to  have 
the  largest  piece  of  cake,  and  never  sacrificed  a  point 
in  competition,  without  feeling  the  value  of  it.  I  find 
now  that  it  is  quite  human  nature,  and  like  the  rest  of 
the  world.  Of  late,  I  find  myself  far  more  ready  to 
sacrifice  my  convenience  or  enjoyment  than  other  peo- 
ple, taking  them  in  the  mass,  and  though  I  cannot  tell 
whether  it  be  not  in  some  instances,  pride  balancing 
selfishness,  I  seldom  ask  what  I  would  not  give." 


David  had  not  thus  olTonded,  how  many  thousands  had  despaired  in  the  con- 
science of  their  own  weakness,  if  these  horrible  sins  had  not  received  forgiveness. 
It  isboppy  for  all  times,  that  we  have  so  holy  a  sinner,  so  sinful  a  penitent." 

Vol.  I.  p.  3.S0.    Lond.  1808. 


144  MEMOIRS   OF 

Brighton  House,  March  15th,  1822. 

"  In  the  midst  of  how  many  dangers  do  wc  make 
our  ordinary  movements !  By  an  accident  on  board 
the  steam  boat  in  which  I  usually  travel,  several  per- 
sons lost  their  lives  in  an  instant  the  other  day.  Some 
afraid  of  steam  boats,  brave  it  in  the  stage  and  are 
upset.  I  have  come  to  a  fearlessness  of  these  things. 
Oh  that  it  were,  as  it  is  not,  because  always  ready. 
I  have  every  now  and  then,  some  forebodings  that  I 
shall  go  suddenly,  just  as  I  am  ready  to  labour." 

This  foreboding,  after  being  allowed  to  labor  seven 
years,  was  fulfilled,  and  this  affecting  circumstance 
renders  the  passage  worthy  of  notice.  Such  anticipa- 
tions, the  uncertainty  of  life,  and  the  probability  of  his 
being  hastily  called  out  of  this  world,  seem  to  me  to 
have  been  more  than  usually  constant  on  Mr  Bruen's 
mind,  as  they  recur  continually  in  his  letters.  Yet  no 
anticipation  makes  the  king  of  terrors  less  than  start- 
ling, when  he  comes  suddenly,  no  preparation  of  mind 
renders  the  pang  of  separation  less  than  bitter  to  those 
who  have  been  united  in  the  truest  bonds  of  love. 

In  the  following  extract  there  is  a  remarkable  exhi- 
bition of  that  diffidence  and  tenderness  of  spirit  which 
often  were  the  cause  of  casting  down  his  mind,  when 
a  less  watchful  and  less  zealous  character  would 
have  been  slumbering  in  self-satisfaction.  It  also 
exhibits  that  observance  of  the  minuter  leadings  of 
providence  which  strongly  indicates  a  docile  child- 
like temper. 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  145 

New  York,  April  13th,  1822. 
^'  Since  the  first  date  on  this  paper,  I  have  had  a 
mental  reverse,  not  a  little  afflictive,  in  the  profound 
consciousness  of  total  inability.  One  week  labouring 
under  a  cold,  I  wrote  two  sermons,  among  the  best  I 
ever  penned,  in  four  days.  The  next  week  I  could 
not  hammer  out  one.  I  have  long  since  felt  my  men- 
tal exercises  to  be  distinctly  under  divine  control,  and 
to  be  had  only  so  long  as  God  pleases.  In  this  case  I 
took  it  for  a  providential  indication  of  my  duty  for  the 

following  sabbath,  and  as  the  people  at church 

have  often  expressed  a  desire  to  hear  what  sort  of 
things  my  extemporaneous  sermons  are,  I  delivered  a 
1-ecture  in  the  afternoon,  without  the  least  written  pre- 
paration. It  is  not  important  to  describe  the  hor- 
ror I  suffered  in  walking  to  church,  and  in  the  pulpit, 
nor  how  near  I  came  to  fainting  during  the  prepara- 
tory exercises.  It  is  sufficient  to  say,  that  I  rose  and 
delivered  a  discourse  of  fifty  minutes,  with  the  utmost 
apparent  composure.  I  was  supported  by  the  convic- 
tion that  I  had  followed  the  conscientious  dictate  of 
my  judgment,  and  cast  myself  on  the  mercy  of  God 
that  he  would  make  me  the  organ  of  his  message, 
however  he  might  be  pleased  to  abase  his  woithless, 
wretched,  seeming  servant.  My  manner  always  im- 
proves in  about  the  same  proportion  that  my  matter 
depreciates,  and  such  is  the  prejudice  against  notes, 
that  many  good  christians  who  had  formerly  held  down 


146  MEMOIRS   OF 

their  heads  durmg  the  service  and  listened  to  doc- 
trines which  they  loved,  as  if  it  were  an  evil  to  be 
endured,  now  stretched  up  their  necks  in  joy  at  the 
change." 

The  Scottish  prejudice  against  read  sermons  has 
been  carried  by  their  forefathers  to  the  western 
shores  of  the  Atlantic,  and  now  it  has,  with  many 
more  valuable  and  more  important  sentiments,  taken 
root  and  flourished  in  the  new  world.  It  is  much  to 
be  lamented  that  even  as  a  matter  of  taste,  any  em- 
phasis should  be  laid  on  the  difference  between  read- 
ing and  speaking  from  memory, — for  after  all,  in 
hundreds  of  cases,  that  is  the  truth.  It  is  not  that  a 
man  is  speaking  as  the  spirit  gives  him  at  the  moment, 
but  that  having  a  powerful  memory,  or  good  nerves 
and  strong  self-possession,  he  is  reciting,  what  without 
these  gifts  he  must  have  been  obliged  to  read.  Of  the 
intellectual  we  may  ask,  is  the  sermon  likely  to  be 
more  correct  or  more  tastefully  delivered,  that  the 
preacher  is  obliged  to  run  over  in  his  mind's  eye, 
paragraph  after  paragraph,  as  they  present  themselves 
in  his  manuscript,  lest  he  invert  them.  Of  the  devout 
we  may  ask,  whether  a  minister  of  the  gospel  will  not 
be  more  profitably  engaged  studying  his  subject  more 
profoundly,  or  praying  that  the  spirit  of  God  may  send 
it  to  the  hearts  of  his  hearers,  than  by  consuming  time 
in  committing  his  composition  to  memory.  When 
long  practice  and  the  ease  which  it  confers,  combined 
with  a  heart  filled  with  his  subject,  give  a  modest  man 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  147 

courage,  as  was  the  case  with  Mr  B.  latterly,  to 
preach  with,  or  without  notes  as  it  suits  him,  then  the 
circumstance  is  pleasing  and  most  welcome;  but  a 
glance  will  suffice  to  convince  us  that  to  make  recited 
preaching  a  reason  for  selecting  a  pastor,  will  often 
lead  to  the  preference  of  boldness  to  humility ;  or  of  a 
good  case  of  nerves  and  a  facile  tongue,  to  the  truth 
and  wisdom  of  the  gospel. 

Brighton  House,  April  26th,  1822. 
"  There   is   another  part  of  President  Edwards' 
works  to  which  I  wish  to  turn  your  attention,  as  it 
gives  a  view  of  the  state  of  religion  in  this  country, 
which  is  most  marvellous.     It  is  his  narrative  of  the 
revival  of  religion  at  Northampton,  which  was  sent  to 
Dr  Watts  and  Dr  Guyse,  and  his  reflections  upon  such 
scenes  as  he  witnessed.      I  know  not  how  to    ex- 
plain the   fact,  but  the    general    course    of    things 
with  us  is  quite   different  from  that  in  "your  most 
flourishing  evangelical  churches.     Periods  of  unusual 
religious  excitement   arise  every  now  and  then,  in 
which  hundreds  come  forward  to  make  their  profes- 
sion.    Thus,  within  the  bounds  of  one  Presbytery  of 
twenty   congregations,   almost   two    thousand  were 
added  to  the  communion  in  one  year.     The  spirit  of 
conviction  of  sin,  comes  with  a  pungency  I  seldom 
heard  of  in  England,  and  sometimes  consolation  is 
received  in  three   or   four  days,  and  a  permanent 
change  evidenced  by  years  of  christian  experience 


148  MEMOIRS   OP 

after  it.  Such  scenes  we  have  now  in  New  York, 
where  in  one  congregation,  upwards  of  seventy  joined 
the  church  at  one  time;  in  another,  forty-six,  &c. 
Mr  Whelpley's  church  is  now  greatly  revived,  and 
many  are  under  powerful  exercises  of  conviction,  and 
some  rejoicing  in  hope.  You  will  understand  the 
whole  matter,  if  you  read  what  Edwards  has  written. 
The  occasion  of  this  change  in  the  Wall  street  church, 
has  been  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  which  was  ap- 
pointed in  view  of  the  desolations  of  Zion.  They  sent 
their  Christian  salutations  and  invitations  to  other 
churches,  that  they  might  join  with  them  in  this  ob- 
servance and  free  will  offering  unto  the  Lord.  On 
the  day  appointed,  the  church  was  filled  to  overflow, 
for  six  successive  hours,  without  intermission. — 
The  greater  part  who  were  there,  we  may  hope  the 
grace  of  conversion  had  taught  to  pray.  The  minis- 
ters in  succession,  gave  a  brief  view  of  the  state  of 
religion  in  their  respective  churches,  and  prayed  for 
an  effusion  of  the  Holy  Spirit, — Such  breathless  solemn 
attention,  I  can  scarcely  hope  again  to  see  in  my  life, 
among  so  vast  a  multitude.  When  Mr  Whelpley 
arose  to  address  this  assembly,  in  that  unpremeditated 
manner,  to  which  he  was  not  used  in  the  pulpit,  there 
was  in  his  whole  aspect  a  bearing  and  significance, 
like  that] of  a  man  consciously  in  the  presence  of  God. 
His  look,  was  that  of  one  worn  out  'by  early  labour  ,• 
the  beamings  of  his  countenance  were  those  of  a 
christian,  who  beheld  the  throbbings  of  many  chris- 


MATTHIAS    BRUEIV.  149 

tian  hearts.  The  very  tones  of  liis  voice,  if  he  had  spoken 
in  an  unknown  tonguc,\vould  have  been  intcnigible.  lie 
presented  to  the  audience,  the  desolations  of  that  por- 
tion of  the  field  of  Zion  which  he  cultivated.  He  be- 
sought them  to  regard  the  condition  of  that  church, 
which,  as  a  fruitful  bough,  had  sent  its  branches  over 
the  wall,  which  were  now  bearing  fruit  all  around, 
while  at  the  root  there  was  decay  of  moistness  and 
verdure.  The  appeal  was  so  instinct  with  energy  and 
pathos,  that  aged  men  lifted  up  their  voice  and  wept. 
This  was  one  of  the  most  solemn  seasons  I  ever  wit- 
nessed. A  blessing  has  manifestly,  and  immediately 
followed.  Those  pastors  are  blessed  who  look  well  to 
their  own  souls,  and  who  forget  all  other  subjects  and 
studies,  in  pursuing  the  one  great  matter,  the  wisdom 
of  V^inning  souls.  It  is  not  of  him  that  willeth,  nor  of 
him  that  runneth,  but  this  means  is  obviously  blessed, 
not  by  might  nor  by  power,  but  by  my  Spirit  saith 
the  Lord." 

May  14th,  1822. 
"  There  is  a  work  of  grace  going  on  in  the  Wall 
street  church.  I  believe  I  told  you  of  the  interest- 
ing exercises  on  a  day  of  fasting  and  humihation, 
appointed  by  one  of  the  churches,  and  of  Mr 
Whelpley's  affecting  appeal  there.  That  appeal 
was  answered  with  the  prayers  of  faith,  and  the 
prayers  of  faith  answered  with  a  revival  of  religion  in 
his  church,  which  had  been  for  years  in  a  condition 
of  criminal  apathy.     They  kept  for  themselves,  a  day 


150  MEMOIRS   OF 

of  fasting  and  prayer,  and  many  souls  were  the  fruit 
of  this  time  of  refreshing  from  the  Lord.  The  next 
sabbath,  I  had  preached  in  Murray  street,  all  day, 
but  I  went  and  lectured  for  him  in  the  evening,  and 
with  very  littb  previous  thought,  took  for  the  text, 
"My  spirit  shall  not  always  strive  with  man."  I 
showed  that  as  no  one  but  an  atheist  doubts  that  we 
hold  the  life  in  our  pulse,  only  as  long  as  the  creator 
pleases,  and  our  senses  so  long  as  the  great  source  of 
intellect  gives  them;  so  the  sovereignty  of  God's  opera- 
tions in  the  economy  of  salvation,  is  equally  unde- 
niable, and  the  term  of  our  trial  fixed  only  by  his  good 
pleasure.  I  shewed  what  are  the  strivings  of  the 
Spirit,  how  all  men  have  them,  how  at  especial  sea- 
sons they  are  more  powerful,  how  they  are  resisted, 
and  how  we  often  run  out  our  period  of  grace,  before 
our  natural  lives  are  ended.  I  shewed  that  many  liv- 
ing men  were  as  pillars  of  salt  under  the  best  outward 
influences  of  heaven,  having  before  been  tender  of 
conscience  and  evidently  called  by  the  Spirit;  and 
though  they  might  not  die  for  many  years,  the  present 
movement  of  conscience  being  resisted,  perhaps  it  was 
the  last  God  might  grant.  I  therefore  implored  them 
instantly  to  open  their  hearts  to  the  message  of  peace. 
Mr  W.  then  gave  notice  of  the  meeting  each  week, 
for  those  under  conviction,  and  invited  them  solemnly 
and  affectionately  to  attend.  Having  told  them  that 
only  ten  had  come  to  talk  with  him  of  their  eternal 
interest,  while  in  other  churches  sixty,  seventy,  or  a 


MATTHIAS    nRUEN.  151 

hundred,  had  come  in  similar  circumstances,  he  turned 
to  mc  to  pronounce  the  blessing.  As  the  people  stood 
up,  it  was  my  impulse  to  add  that  each  one  in  the 
assembly  knew  as  well  as  if  an  angel  were  to  point 
him  out  by  name,  whether  or  not  he  was  called  upon 
now  to  come  forward,  and  avow  that  he  would  seek 
salvation.  That  consciousness  was  a  sense  given  by 
the  Spirit  and  a  part  of  his  striving.  I  defied  them  to 
resist  it  without  the  infinite  peril  that  it  was  the  last 
feeling  they  should  ever  have  on  the  subject.  The 
matter  was  between  their  consciences  and  God.  Mr 
W.  tells  me  of  some  who  speak  of  the  impressions  of 
that  exhortation  of  mine,  in  which  I  cannot  doubt  that 
I  was  divinely  assisted.  Is  it  not  all  but  incredible, 
that  such  a  creature  as  I  should  be  divinely  assisted? 
But  Balaam  prophecied  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  and 
.Tudas  spoke  when  the  Lord  sent  His  disciples  two  and 
two  to  preach  the  gospel  in  Judea." 

Though  the  tidings  of  the  birth  of  souls  are  always 
affecting,  and  the  description  of  the  actings  of  the 
Spirit  of  God  upon  human  spirits  solemnly  interesting; 
yet  in  the  United  States,  where  such  times  of  refresh- 
ing from  the  Lord  on  whole  congregations  are  not 
uncommon,  the  above  little  account  may  seem  un- 
necessarily prolix.  It  will  not  readily  be  conceived 
by  american  christians,  with  what  a  mingling  of  won- 
der and  fear  and  mistrust,  such  new  things  have  been 
received  in  Great  Britain,  even  by  persons  of  affec- 
tionate piety.     The  dread  of  enthusiasm,  of  that  mu- 


152  MEMOIRS  or 

lual  excitement  which  is  of  man  and  not  of  God,  the 
dread  of  that  passing  emotion  which  is  not  true  re- 
pentance, nor  true  faith,  but  the  w^ork  of  human  sym- 
pathy, has  led  many  to  receive  with  coldness  and 
mistrust,  such  glad  news,  as,  if  they  could  have  be- 
lieved it,  would  have  made  their  hearts  sing  for  joy. 
It  is  only  after  long  years  of  observation,  and  of  mi- 
nute information  of  the  consistent  christian  walk  of 
hundreds  who  made  their  first  profession  during 
periods  of  revival,  that  the  faithful  of  the  old  country 
have  been  able  to  comprehend  that  the  Spirit  of  God 
is  not  bound,  but  acts  according  to  His  holy  pleasure, 
in  this  country  after  this  manner,  and  in  that  coun- 
try after  that  manner ;  and  that  his  diversity  of  deal- 
ing with  different  countries  is  not  more  incredible 
than  the  different  modes  in  which  He  first  operates 
upon  different  souls.  Now,  however,  it  is  delightful 
to  find  British  christians  regarding  each  other,  and 
saying,  "  Why  have  we  no  revivals,  like  our  brethren 
in  America?  Why  are  our  souls  gathered  in  here 
one,  and  there  one,  not  by  pungent  convictions,  not 
by  lively  faith,  leading  from  sorrow  to  joy; — but  by 
slow  processes  of  reasoning,  by  measured  and  tardy 
closing  with  the  Saviour,  as  if  the  soul  were  in  no 
jeopardy,  and  as  if  it  made  no  difference  to  real  hap- 
piness, whether  we  became  christians  now  or  ten 
years  hence."  The  answer  which  suggests  itself  to 
many  minds  now  is,  because  w^e  do  not  expect  such 
things,  we  do  not  pray  for  them,  we  should  almost  be 


MATTHIAS    BRTlEy.  153 

lerrifiecl  if  they  were  bestowed  on  us,  and  the  Lord 
himself  hath  said,  "  according  to  your  faitli  be  it  unt<j 
you." 

As  it  occurs  in  famiHes  that  first  the  cliildrcn  de- 
rive their  being,  their  early  training,  their  ideas  from 
their  parents,  and  as  they  advance  in  life,  exercise  on 
them  a  re-acting  influence;  so  may  we  hope  that  the 
period  will  come  when  the  mother  country  may  de- 
rive fresh  vigor  from  the  example  of  her  healthful 
offspring ;  and  as  those  righteous  men  who  first  plant- 
ed the  standard  of  the  cross  in  New  England,  derived 
their  religious  sentiments  from  the  country  which 
they  forsook,  so  may  we  anticipate  that  old  England 
will  receive  a  quickening  power  from  the  example  of 
her  children,  w^ho  have  already  outstripped  her.  This 
hope  is  not  formed  solely  on  vague  wishes,  but  on  the 
knowledge  that  at  this  moment  churches  are  stirring 
each  other  up  after  the  'manner  of  their  American  hreth- 
ern,  to  hold  times  of  prayer  for  the  out-pouring  of  the 
Spirit,  and  to  plead  with  Him  with  whom  is  the  resi- 
due of  the  Spirit,  to  revive  His  work  in  the  midst  of  us. 

How  happy  the  mutual  relations  of  those  countries 
which  seek  only  to  influence  each  other  in  such  ob- 
jects as  these.  How  little  need  would  there  be  of  the 
wisdom  of  politicians  to  adjust  our  mutual  claims,  or 
of  the  peace-societies  of  philanthropists  to  keep  us  in 
inindofthe  duties  of  mutual  forbearance,  were  but 
the  majority  in  each  country  thus  one  in  spirit,  thus 
feeling  that  they  form  each  a  distinct,  but  united  por- 


154  MEMOIRS   OF 

tion  of  that  holy  body,  of  which  Christ  is  the  Hving 
head. 

Let  not  the  worldly  wise  man  smile  at  such 
ideas  as  Utopian.  As  the  purer  ages  approach,  of 
which  the  scriptures  of  truth  testify,  we  shall  see 
more  and  more  of  that  blessed  action  and  re-action, 
until  christian  love  shall  form  a  universal  brother- 
hood.* 

In  December  1821  Mr  Brucn  dchvered  a  discourse 
atWoodbridgc,  on  a  day  of  thanksgiving  and  prayer 
appointed  by  the  governor  of  the  state  of  New  Jersey, 
which  was  published  early  in  1822,  at  the  request  of 
the  congregation.  The  few  copies  of  this  sermon 
which  reached  England,  excited  most  pleasing  views 
of  the  condition  of  the  United  States  in  reference  to 
religion.  That  the  governor  of  a  state  should  of 
his  own  judgment  appoint  a  day  of  thanksgiving,  and 
the  people  of  all  religious  denominations  flock  to  their 
own  places  of  worship  in  obedience  to  such  an  ap- 
pointment, exhibits  a  zeal  in  the  governor  and  a  duc- 
tihty  in  the  governed,  most  honorable  to  both.f  The 
sermon  itself  contains  an  animated  and  expanded 
view  of  the  state  of  the  country  now,  of  its  state  a 

*  The  revivals  with  which  our  churches  and  colleges  are  blessed  at  this  mo- 
ment more  than  at  any  time  since  the  country  was  settled,  are  jxjrhaps  as  strik- 
ing in  all  the  peculiar  respects  which  occasioned  these  remarks,  as  any  which 
have  occured  since  the  days  of  the  Apostles,  And  this  though  rcferriblc  to  the 
Holy  Spirit's  efficiency,  is  not  on  that  account,  less  the  result  of  a  style  of  preach- 
ing prayer  and  [effort  perhaps  approaching  nearer  than  that  which  has  hitherto 
prevailed  to  the  directness  and  perfect  simplicity  of  the  primitive  age.— Ed. 

t  The  author  did  not  know  how  much  of  a  mere  formality  it  is,  for  the  governors 
of  the  middle  and  northern  states,  to  recommend  such  sacred  observances.— Ed. 


MATTHIAS    BRUEY.  155 

century  before,  and  of  its  moral  and  physical  capabil- 
ities whicli  lose  nothing  in  the  concise  and  terse 
manner  in  which  they  are  stated.  It  has  been  rather 
a  fashion  in  Europe  to  smile  at  the  spirit  of  prophesy 
about  future  greatness,  which  has  been  imputed  to 
the  witers  of  the  United  States.  But  it  is  certain 
that  their  christian  authors  do  not  fall  into  an  error 
on  this  subject,  nor  prognosticate  more  than  what  an 
uninflatcd  and  rational  calculation  must  infer  from 
their  past  rapid  advancement.  This  sermon  is  a  speci- 
men of  faithful  admonition ;  for  after  showing  the  pros- 
perity of  the  country  in  its  constitution,  in  the  general 
spirit  of  submission  to  the  laws,  and  in  the  energetic 
and  enterprising  disposition  of  the  people ;  there  is  a 
solemn  warning  against  the  perversion  of  energy  in 
making  haste  to  be  rich,  and  in  abusing  their  privi- 
leges to  purposes  of  mere  worldly  prosperity.  TJianks- 
giving  for  abundance  of  corn  and  cattle,  is  cou- 
pled with  a  stern  remonstrance  against  the  intem- 
perance which  debases  and  scatters  poison  anion"" 
multitudes  of  the  people.  This  seems  to  be  the  first 
time  that  the  cause  of  Temperance  w^as  publicly  advo- 
cated by  Mr  Brucn.  He  afterwards  mentioned  the 
Rev.  Mr  Hewitt,  *  "as  a  mighty  instrument  raised 
up  by  a  benevolent  providence  to  remove  this  scourge 
from  Christendom" — and  he  joined  with  cordial 
avidity  in  promoting  a  cause,  which  we  hope  may 

*    Agent  of  the  American  Temperance  Society, 


156  MEMOIRS   OF 

rescue  thousands  from  that  destruction  which  the 
excessive  use  of  ardent  spirits  is  spreading  over  the 
Union,  the  British  Colonies,  and  Britain  itself. 

In  1822  he  prepared  for  the  press  a  httle  volume 
entitled  "  Essays  descriptive  and  moral  of  scenes  in 
Italy  and  France,  by  an  American."  They  were 
brought  out  under  the  inspection  of  the  friend  with 
whom  he  had  sojourned  in  Scotland,  and  under  whose 
roof  many  of  his  continental  recollections  were 
written.  They  were  printed  in  Edinburgh,  and  a  por- 
tion of  the  impression  was  sent  to  New  York  for  pub- 
lication. What  is  presented  to  the  reader  in  this 
work  leads  him  to  regret  that  there  is  no  more.  Each 
subject  is  too  much  in  the  character  of  fragment,  and 
therefore  does  not  unite  and  carry  on  the  sympa- 
thies of  the  reader,  with  the  author.  The  very  dif- 
fidence wdiich  induced  him  to  deem  his  movements 
from  place  to  place  and  his  personal  comforts  and  dis- 
comforts, unworthy  to  occupy  the  pubUc,  has  injured 
the  interest  of  the  book.  He  would  not  condescend  to 
print  what  he  did  not  feel  to  be  useful ;  but  if  he  had 
combined  his  observations  into  a  continuous  narrative, 
and  let  himself  appear  not  only  at  the  show-places,  and 
the  points  which  excite  admiration,  but  in  his  cabriolet, 
in  his  slippers,  in  his  conversations  with  peasants,  and 
in  his  introduction  to  grandees,  the  work  would  have 
been  more  to  the  taste  of  the  age,  and  therefore  more 
useful.  Its  great  excellence  is,  that  it  gives  a  moral 
view  of  Italy.     Others  have  described  palaces  and 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN-.  157 

pageants,  churches  and  ceremonies.  Mr  B*s  aim  is 
to  describe  the  efFccts  of  despotism  and  Popish  supersti- 
tion on  the  national  character,  the  private  morals  and 
the  spiritual  interests  of  the  people.  The  strain  of  re- 
mark is  uniform  and  consistent  throughout,  exhibiting 
the  author  as  regarding  man  always  in  his  accoun- 
table capacity,  holding  all  earthly  things  at  their  real 
price,  and  never  bewildered  by  the  deceptions,  nor 
overwhelmed  by  the  magnificence  of  mere  human  in- 
ventions. There  are  passages  of  nervous  reflection, 
of  pathetic  description  and  of  judicious  and  eloquent 
remark,  which  excite  regret  that  the  author  had  not 
taxed  his  port  folio  more  heavily. 

But  the  time  was  now  come  when  that  port  folio 
was  to  be  laid  aside — when  his  travelling  recollec- 
tions, and  almost  the  friends  acquired  in  his  journey- 
ings,  were  to  be  numbered  among  the  things  that  were. 
He  was  entering  on  the  efficient  and  laborious  period 
of  his  life,  which  was  so  important  in  its  duties  as  to 
subdue  those  natural  regrets,  with  which  a  heart,  so 
tenacious  of  its  friendships  as  Mr  Bruen's,  could  not 
but  look  back  on  periods  of  his  life,  which  left  their 
stamp  both  upon  his  character  and  his  affections. 


158  MEMOIRS   OF 


CHAPTER    XI. 

Mr  Bruen  was  diligently  engaged  in  preaching 
during  the  year  1822,  for  Mr  Whclpley,  and  in  the 
church  formerly  occupied  by  Dr  Mason,  and  in  various 
other  places  ;  and  in  the  spring  of  that  year  I  find  his 
first  mention  of  the  plan  which  finally  resulted  in  his 
settlement  in  the  place  where  he  wore  out  his  life.  He 
says  in  April,  "  I  propose  in  the  autumn,  when  I  come 
to  town,  to  open,  in  the  upper  part  of  the  city,  a  room 
where  I  will  preach  and  lecture  regularly.  Some  of 
my  friends  propose  building  a  church  there.  It  is  a 
neighbourhood  a  good  deal  like  Newington,*  having 
recently  grown  up." 

Brighton  House,  November  5th,  1822. 

"  Last  week  a  friend  came  to  see  me,  and  beg  me 
to  come  to  New  York,  and  engage  to  preach  to  a 
congregation,  which  he  is  a  principal  in  the  attempt 
to  form.  The  city  is  growing  most  rapidly.  Five  or 
six  new  presbyterian  congregations  have  been  raised 
within  three  or  four  years,  and  ultimate  success  in 
this  location  with  the  ordinary  blessings  of  God, 
seems  quite  sure." 

*    A  suburb  of  Edinburgh. 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  151) 

New  York,  December  30th,  1822. 

"  I  have  never  exercised  my  ministry  with  more 
comfort,  perhaps  never  with  more  profit  to  others, 
than  for  the  weeks  since  I  came  to  H\^e  here,  and  to 
preach  in  a  school-room  to  the  sick  and  poor.  I  never 
preached  so  much,  often  five  or  six  times  a  week." 

In  the  London  EvangeHcal  Magazine  for  March 
1830,  which  contains  a  brief  memoir  of  Mr  Bruen, 
taken  from  the  New  York  Observer,  it  is  stated,  and 
this  is  confirmed  by  evidence  from  his  letters,  that  "  he 
w^as  employed  as  a  missionary  in  the  city  by  a  com- 
mittee of  missions  appointed  by  the  presbytery  of  New 
York.  The  rcsalt  of  his  ministrations  was  the  collec- 
tion of  the  Bleecker  street  church  and  congregation, 
who  erected  the  commodious  and  i)lcasant  edifice 
which  they  now  occupy."  It  is  also  said  in  a  foot- 
note that  "  notwithstanding  Mr  B.  performed  this  ser- 
vice by  appointment  and  under  the  direction  of  the 
committee,  he  generously  declined  receiving  from 
them  any  compensation." 

Mr  Bruen  had  in  the  year  1820  first  become  ac- 
quainted with  Miss  Mary  Ann  Davenport,  daughter 
of  the  late  Hon.  James  Davenport,*  of  Stamford,  Con- 


*  "Few  persons  in  tliis  country  have  been  more,  or  more  deservedly,  esteemed 
than  Mr  James  Davenport.  His  mind  was  of  a  structure  almost  siuKUlar.  An 
infirm  constitution  precluded  hiuito  a  considerable  extent  from  laborious  study 
during  his  early  years;  and,  indeed,  tlirougliout  most  of  liis  life.  Yet  an  un- 
wearied attention  to  useful  ol)jects,  a  critical  observation  of  every  thing  impor- 
tant, which  fell  under  his  eye,  and  a  strong  attachment  to  intelligent  conversa- 
tion, enabled  him  by  the  aid  of  a  discernment  almost  intuitive,  to  accumulate  a 
rich  fund  of  valuable  knowledge.  With  respect  to  conversation  he  was  peculiar. 
The  company  of  intelligent  persons  he  sought  with  the  same  eagerness  and  con- 


160  MEMOIRS  OF 

necticuf;  a  descendant  of  that  venerable,  wise,  and 
holy  man  of  the  name,  who  forsook  England  more 
than  two  centuries  before,  and  preferred  all  the  in- 
conveniences of  a  settlement  in  pathless  woods,  and 
tangled  wildernesses,  with  freedom  of  conscience^  to  all 
the  appHances  of  civilized  and  luxurious  life  without 
it.  Those  who  bear  such  blood  in  their  veins,  and 
can  count  back  through  many  generations  of  chris- 
tians to  such  an  ancestor,  have  the  true  aristocracy 
of  descent ;  and  the  same  motive,  exciting  to  holiness, 
which  was  continually  presented  to  Jews  of  old,  as 
the  children  of  Abraham,  may  justly  and  honorably 
be  cherished  now  by  the  offspring  of  those  upright 
men,  who  formed  the  first  christian  colony  in  New 
England. 

With  this  lady,  entertaining  the  principles  and  hopes 
of  those  from  whom  she  sprung,  Mr  Bruen  was 
united  in  marriage  on  the  2i  of  January,  1823. 
Delicacy  to  that  now  desolate   survivor,  forbids  to 


stancy,  as  the  student  his  books.  Here  he  always  started  topics  of  investigation, 
fitted  to  improve  the  mind,  as  well  as  to  please  ;  and  in  this  way  gathered  knowl- 
edge with  the  industi-y  and  success,  with  which  the  bee  makes  every  flower  in- 
crease the  treasures  of  its  hive.  I  never  knew  the  value  of  intelligent  conversa- 
tion, and  the  extent  of  the  contributions  which  it  is  capable  of  furnishing  to  the 
stock  of  knowledge,  possessed  by  an  individual,  exhibited  more  clearly  and  de- 
cisively than  in  his  example.  At  the  same  time  his  own  conversation  was  so 
agreeable  and  intelligent,  and  his  manners  so  engaging,  that  his  company  was 
courted  by  all  his  numerous  acquaintance.  His  life,  also,  was  without  a  stain; 
and,  on  his  integrity,  candour,  and  justice,  his  countrymen  placed  an  absolute  re- 
liance. With  these  qualifications,  it  will  not  be  a  matter  of  wonder,  that  at 
an  early  period  of  his  life  he  was  employed  by  the  public  in  an  almost  continual 
succession  of  public  business.  He  was  chosen  into  the  American  congress  of 
which  he  was  a  member  till  he  died."     He  died  in  the  39th  year  of  his  age. 

Dr  Dwights  travels,  vol.  3.  p.  500. 


MATTHIAS    ERUEN.  IGl 

bids  to  say  more,  than  that  there  was  an  entire  sym- 
pathy between  them  in  taste,  principles,  and  habits, 
the  chief  beauty  in  that  honourable  relation,  which 
God,  who  knows  the  frame  of  iiis  creatures  has 
appointed  for  their  mutual  support,  and  their  im- 
provement in  holiness. 

Some  brief  but  very  characteristic  extracts  from 
his  letters  at  the  period  of  his  marriage  are  interest- 
ing, as  they  disclose  his  spiritual  frame,  at  a  time 
when  his  earthly  prospects  were  full  of  joy.  Hitherto 
the  extracts  have  shown  his  mind  chiefly  in  the  Pense- 
roso  mood,  and  even  disconsolate  at  times ;  now  ho 
was  glad  with  a  chastened  gladness.  It  is  also  wor- 
thy of  remark,  that  the  diffusive  character  of  his 
generous  nature,  was  never  more  exhibited  than  at 
the  time  of  his  marriage.  Instead  of  having  his  affec- 
tions withdrawn  from  old  friends,  and  centred,  as  they 
might  have  excusably  been  on  one  object ;  he  seemed 
more  than  usually  filled  with  esteem  and  love  for  all 
who  had  before  shared  his  friendship,  and  longed  that 
they  should  be  partakers  of  his  happiness,  and  have  a 
portion  in  the  friendship  of  his  wife. 

New  York,  December  30th,  1822. 

"  And  now  the  day  is  fixed — the  2d  of  January  is 

the  time  appointed,  in  which  with  the  privacy  that 

suits  her  wishes,  and  my  profession,  my  fate  is  to  be 

united  to  hers.     Amid  all  the  sobriety  of  my  thinking 

sometimes  there  is  an  intense  feeling  of  pleasure  which 
w 


1G3  MEMOIRS  OF 

I  cannot  put  upon  paper.  What  providence  may 
bring  out  of  this  of  weal  or  woe,  to  her  or  me,  we 
know  not.  I  am  sure  I  have  your  prayers  and  your 
hopes.  My  prospects  of  happiness  open  in  every 
view,  of  usefuhiess  in  my  profession,  and  of  settlement 
in  this  neighborhood,  in  a  little  charge  with  an  endless 
field  of  labour ;  and  of  domestic  comfort,  intellectual 
society,  and  religious  consolation  in  the  wife  of  my 
bosom.  *  *  *  *  But  who  shall  dare 
to  count  up  his  riches  in  this  world.  We  are  all  in 
the  hand  of  God.     Pray  for  me,  dear  sister." 

January  1st,  1823. 

"  Dear  Dear  Sister, 

"  I  feel  an  inexpressible  longing  to  write  to  you, 
amidst  a  thousand  other  things,  which  I  ought  per- 
haps to  do  first.  Three  preachings  last  sabbath,  last 
night's  preaching,  the  duties  of  the  coming  sabbath, 
all  fill  my  mind  with  the  remembrances  of  serious  ob- 
ligation ;  when  the  morrow  comes  over  me  with  such 
a  commingled  feeling  as  I  cannot  describe — But  I  will 
write  a  few  lines  in  spite  of  all. 

The  griefs  in  which  we  have  shared,  the  joys  in 
which  we  have  participated,  come  before  me  just  now 
with  a  train  of  imagery,  which  you  can  picture  to 
yourself.  The  other  day  as  I  opened  your  hymn 
book,  which  I  always  use,  in  all  my  services,  at  *'  once 
they  were  mourning  here  below,"  if  I  ever  pray,  one 
aspiration  arose  from  my  heart,  for  you.     All  your 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  1G3 

anxious  sympathy  for  mc,  fills  mo,  I  should  almost  say 
with  grief,  for  I  fear  your  forebodings.  #  *  * 
But  believe  that  in  all  calmness  of  judgment,  my  pros- 
pects of  usefulness  are  mightily  enlarged.  *  *  * 
I  enter  upon  this  matter  with  a  self-understanding, 
with  a  calmness  which  is  almost  religious,  with  a  hope 
which  I  endeavour  to  direct  more  to  heaven  than  to 
earth.  *  *  *  Oh,  if  it  were  not  for  this  hope- 
less distance,  this  wide  sea,  I  do  believe  we  three 
might  reach  the  highest  point  of  human  friendship. — 
Perhaps  the  experiment  may  some  day  be  made.  But 
alas  !  that  could  only  be  by  withdrawing  me  from  the 
scene  of  my  labours,  which  is  just  now  unfolding,  with 
a  charm  it  never  before  possessed.  But  what  a  vic- 
tory would  that  be,  to  sit  near  you,  and  hear  all  that 
you  would  say,  and  see  all  that  you  would  feel,  and 
know  that  it  would  all  pass  like  electricity  through 
the  veins  of  us  all.  #**-*-  ^^Q  ^^ 
home  a  few  days  next  week ;  but  I  do  not  intend  to 
sacrifice  my  duties  for  my  ease,  and  shall  return  be- 
fore the  sabbath.  "  Go  to,  ye  that  say,  on  the  mor- 
row," &LC. 

New  York,  January  31st,  1823. 
"  My  preachings  have  not  been  intermitted  by  my 
marriage.  On  the  sabbath  after,  I  preached  twice. 
On  Wednesday  we  went  to  Amboy,  where  I  preached 
three  times.  We  returned  on  monday,  and  on  tues- 
day  and  thursday  evenings,  and  ever  since,  I  have 


164  MEMOIRS   OF 

had  my  hands  full  of  duties.  Besides  this,  I  have  be- 
gun visiting  from  house  to  house,  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  our  place  of  meeting,  and  seem  fairly  embarked 
upon  the  work  of  a  gospel  minister.  Having  disposed 
of  this  great  business  of  being  married,  I  trust  I  shall 
have  a  more  single  aim  to  carry  on  the  spiritual  work 
to  which  I  may  be  called.  Our  prospects  in  the  main 
are  encouraging,  but  upon  penetrating  into  the  inte- 
rior of  houses  and  hearts,  the  deplorable  deficiencies 
of  professors  are  evident,  and  I  know  not  how  far 
some  will  bear  the  wholesome  word  of  application  and 
conviction,  when  I  shall  privately  and  alone,  say,  \I 
mean  you.'' " 

New  York,  February  24th,  1823. 
"  I  am  glad  my  present  plan  of  labouring  here  suits 
your  feelings.  I  give  up  every  thing  to  it.  Preach- 
ing so  often  gives  me  a  facility.  I  am  deplorably  de- 
ficient in  spiritual  mindedness ;  I  am  saddened  when- 
ever I  think  how  little  I  am  absorbed  in  the  simple  ob- 
ject of  winning  souls.  Yet  God  has  been  pleased  to 
make  me  useful  in  two  or  three  instances,  to  bring  for- 
ward exercises  which  either  have  or  will,  I  trust, 
eventuate  in  saving  conversion.  A  remark  in  Scott's 
Life  has  struck  me  very  much  in  this  connection.  *  If 
we  only  are  the  instruments  of  one  conversion  in  a 
year,  what  else  could  we  do  on  earth  that  would  pro- 
duce joy  among  the  angels  in  heaven.'     Have  you 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  105 

read  this  useful,  instructive  piece  of  Biography  ?  *     I 
hope  I  have  profited  by  it." 

New  York,  March  20th,  1823. 
"  Have  I  written  you  an  account  of  the  revival  of 
religion  at  Carlisle  after  the  death  of  James  Mason  ^f 
Upwards  of  sixty  persons  were  admitted  at  once  into 
Dufficld's  church,  a  few  weeks  ago,  and  what  is  re- 
markable, there  was  just  the  same  number  of  males 
as  females.  Usually  here,  as  every  where,  we  find 
your  sex  most  apt  to  yield  their  hearts  to  the  obe- 
dience of  ihe  faith.  The  face  of  the  audience,  and  the 
proportion  on  the  rolls  of  the  church,  shows  it.  Such 
seasons  of  special  blessing  come  it  is  true,  at  such 
times,  and  in  such  way  as  God  pleases ;  but  they' come 
in  answer  to  prayer,  and  in  consequence  of  the  use  of 
rational  means.  Before  this,  Duffield  convened  his 
members  on  a  week  day.  There  were  together  more 
than  a  hundred.  After  prayer,  he  put  such  questions 
as  these  to  them  all,  "Whether  they  believed  the  im- 
mortal souls  of  men  to  be  of  unspeakable  value? 
Whether  they  believed  the  receiving  the  gospel  of 
Jesus  Christ  to  be  the  means  of  salvation  ?  Whether 
they  would  promise  in  their  houses,  and  throughout 
the  town,  to  use  every  occasion  of  calling  sinners  to 
instant  repentance  and  faith  ?    Whether  they  would 

*  Lifeof  Scott,  author  of  the  "  Force  of  Truth,"  &c. 
t  SonofDr  Mason. 


166  MEMOIRS   OF 

pray  and  watch  and  fast  for  a  blessing?"  They  all 
rose  and  solemnly  promised  it  Some  almost  miracu- 
lous answers  to  prayer  followed.  We  sec  what  an 
amazing  influence  must  be  exerted,  if  a  whole  church 
be  thus  filled  with  missionary  spirit,  and  each  in  his 
place  is  turned  into  a  preacher  of  righteousness. 
Pray  for  your  brother,  that  he  may  go  and  do  like- 
wise." 

In  the  May  of  this  year  Mr  Bruen  took  his  station 
among  the  standard  bearers  of  the  cross,  and  spoke 
at  most  of  the  anniversaries  of  the  various  philanthro- 
pic societies   of  the  city.     However  he  might  accuse 
himself  of  coldness  in  secret  devotion,  he  continually 
deprecated  the  idea  of  his  soul  living  on  "no  religion 
but  what  was  public,"  and  those  who  had  opportunity 
to  look  into  his  mental  exercises,  were  struck  with 
the  zeal,  humility  and  watchfulness  with  which    he 
superintended  the  state  of  his  own  heait,  almost  as 
though  he  had  nothing  else  to  observe.     One  brief  ex- 
tract, merely  as  a  specimen,  is  here  presented;  delicacy 
alone  prevents  the  introduction  of  very  many  similar 
to  it.     Those  who  have  studied  their  own  characters 
in  reference  to  the  divine  purity,  will  readily  compre- 
hend the  strength  of  his  expressions  of  self  abasement. 
But  the  less  delicate  in  conscience,  and  less  enlighten- 
ed by  the  Holy  Spirit,  may  be  so  far  misled  as  to 
suspect  from  his  view  of  himself,  that  Mr  B.  had  to 
mourn  over  conspicuous  out-breakings  of  sin,  when 
the  very  reverse   is  the  case,  for  among  the  pure, 


MATTHIAS    RRUE\.  1G7 

even  from  early  life,  he  had  the  happiness  to  be  pre- 
served singularly  pure. 

May,  1823. 

"Each  stage  in  our  journey  of  life  is  a  place  for 
the  confession  of  sin,  and  I  would  gladly  disburden 
my  heart,  not  of  the  sorrow  for,  but  of  the  guilt  of 
my  iniquities.  I  felt  that  from  my  infancy  I  had 
brought  upon  myself,  in  spite  of  knowledge  and  a 
sensitive  conscience,  the  burden  of  transgression 
so  heavy,  so  provoking,  that  for  this  world  and  the 
next,  it  was  most  reasonable  to  expect  a  visible  judg- 
ment *  *  *  jvjy  humility,  my  con- 
fessions, my  repentance,  seem  to  me  not  at  all  to 
deserve  the  name,  so  far  are  they  below  the  deep 
exercises  of  an  experienced  christian.  But,  such 
as  they  are,  they  are  comforts  to  me,  exercises  to 
be  cherished,  I  hope  to  be  increased.         *         * 

*  *  you  will  believe  my  thoughts  often  make 
an  excursion  to  my  dear  home  beyond  the  w^aters. 
Let  me  know  often  about  your  children.  I  lejoice 
that  your  dear  husband  is  better." 

In  this  same  month  of  May,  there  is  a  reference 
which  though  entirely  detached  from  the  thread  of  the 
narrative,  and  written  in  reply  to  information  received 
from  Scotland,  w^ill  interest  the  reader,  not  only  as 
shewing  Mr  B's  ideas  of  the  duty  of  a  christian  in 
a  public  station,  to  make  his  conduct  understood 
by  the    pubUc;   but    also   as   cxliibiting    the    lively 


168  MEMOIRS   OF 

fraternal  interest  which   American  clergy  take    in 
the  movements  of  their  brethren  in  Britain. 

"The  newspaper  containing  the  communication 
concerning  Dr  Chalmers'  resignation  was  peculiarly 
acceptable.  All  the  world  here  are  wondering  what 
could  induce  him  to  leave  his  field  of  usefulness  at 
Glasgow  for  the  cloister  of  a  college.  I  think  his  rea- 
sons entirely  sufficient,  and  his  manner  of  publishing 
them  highly  honourable.  I  shall  give  the  letter  pub- 
licity on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic,  for  it  is  certainly 
important.  No  man  has  a  right  to  take  such  a  hold 
as  Dr  Chalmers  has,  of  the  hearts  and  minds  of  men, 
and  then  not  suppose  his  public  movements,  justly 
subject  to  praise  or  censure ;  as  he  cannot  make  him- 
self a  private  man  without  recalling  his  works  from 
the  four  quarters  of  the  globe.  All  that  he  can  do 
to  keep  his  character  clear,  is  to  let  us  into  his  con- 
science, that  we  may  see  what  motives  work  there,  and 
then  it  will  be  seen  that  his  character  is  as  much 
above  cavil,  as  his  industry  and  talent  are  above 
praise." 

July  14th,  1823. 
"  I  preached  in  New  Haven,  in  the  chapel  of  Yale 
college,  to  four  or  five  hundred  students  and  a  learned 
faculty.  I  have  not  seen  any  thing  so  Oxonian  for  a 
great  while.  Though  the  building  is  in  the  most 
absolute  contrast  with  the  chapel  of  new  college,  and 


MATTIllA.'i    BRUEN.  169 

there  was  neither  black  gown  nor  red  visible,  nor  note 
of  organ,  nor  chaunt  of  psalter ;  yet  it  was  not  pos- 
sible to  follow  the  president  through  the  great  aisle, 
where  no  other  ceremony  was  used  but  the  students 
rising  at  our  entrance,  and  ascend  the  pulpit  to  address 
so  many  young  men  so  soon  to  occupy  the  first  sta- 
tions of  influence  in  the  country,  without  a  quicken- 
ing of  the  blood.  And  here  a  train  of  feelings  was 
excited  such  as  Oxford  and  Cambridge  have  no  power 
to  produce.  Of  these  students  perhaps  more  than  a 
third  are  members  of  the  church  which  is  in  the  col- 
lege, and  so  far  as  the  strictest  judgment  can  decide, 
living  members  of  the  spiritual  body  of  Jesus  Christ. 
The  town  of  New  Haven,  founded  by  John  Daven- 
port and  his  church,  containing  a  population  of  about 
8000,  has  been  signally  blessed  with  the  demonstra- 
tions of  God's  Spirit,  and  hundreds  together  have 
agonized  to  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  The 
town  is  beautifully  laid  out  with  a  large  common 
green  in  the  centre,  in  the  midst  of  which  are 
four  churches,  and  behind  on  an  ascent  the  college 
buildings.  It  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  sights  in 
the  world,  on  a  pleasant  sabbath  morning,  to  see  the 
hundreds  at  the  same  time  crossing  the  green  in 
various  directions  towards  their  different  places  of 
worship.  I  am  just  now  preparing  a  review  of 
Orme's  Life  of  Dr  Owen,  into  which  I  shall  introduce 
the  best  account  that  is  to  be  found  within  the  same 
number  of  pages,  of  his  life  and  works.    I  have  taken 


170  MEMOIRS    OF 

a  deeper  interest  in  this  from  the  account  you  sent  me 
last  year  of  Orme  and  Aikman's  visit  to  Kelso. 

I  have  been  in  much  doubt  what  to  do  here,  wheth- 
er to  form  a  church  before  the  edifice  is  begun,  or 
delay  our  fellowship  in  spirituals,  till  the  temporals 
raise  their  head  above  ground.  But  I  have  now 
pretty  much  made  up  my  mind  to  advance  at  every 
risk,  if  we  can  get  but  a  dozen  church  members.  I 
am  glad  to  feel  myself  located  here,  and  the  sooner 
we  have  all  the  visible  symbols  of  a  church  of  Christ 
the  better.  They  are  needful  for  our  quickening, 
encouragement,  and  ultim.ate  success.  Pray  for  us, 
dear  sister,  that  the  word  of  God  may  have  free 
course  and  be  glorified.  May  my  sinfulness  not 
impede  it!" 

In  the  autumn  of  this  year,  a  little  daughter  was 
added  to  the  domestic  felicities  of  Mr  Bruen.  What 
he  says  in  reference  to  her  dedication  to  God  in 
baptism  must  reach  the  heart  of  every  christian 
parent. 

December  15th,  182.3. 
**  More  than  a  fortnight  since,  we  made  such  sacred 
promises  for  ourselves  and  for  our  babe,  as  were  re- 
quired by  her  baptism,  and  formally  endeavoured  to 
give  her  up  to  the  Lord,  for  life  or  for  death.  Mr 
Whelpley  administered  the  ordinance  in  the  room 
where  I  preach,  and  you  will  not  doubt  that  the  oc- 
casion was  to  me  deeply  interesting.    When  I  receiv- 


MATTHIAS    BRUEIV.  171 

ed  the  child  from  her  mother,  and  raised  her  towards 
the  minister,  she  spread  out  her  little  arms  as  if  con- 
scious of  what  was  passing.  *  *  #  How 
sad  to  think  that  under  so  fair  a  form,  a  heart  is  hidden 
which  may  yet  befilled  with  malignity  against  God  and 
holiness  and  heaven.  How  gladdening  to  remember 
that  this  ordinance  may  prepare  her  for  a  sanctified 
life  here,  and  a  glorious  existence  throughout  eterntiy- 
The  babe  has  now  a  claim  upon  you ;  a  claim  it  is 
true  quite  arbitrary  on  our  part,  but  one  which  I  feel 
assured  will  be  willingly  ceded  by  you.  What  hopes, 
what  fears  do  we  find  in  this  name.  What  a  union  of 
three  beings  that  have  held  the  most  powerful  influ- 
ence in  my  heart." 


172  MEMOIRS    OF 


CHAPTER    XII. 

New  York,  February  15th,  1824. 
My  very  dear  friend  and  sister, 

*  *  *  *  I  have  been  very  much  interested 
to-day  in  lecturing  from  Phillippians,  ch.  2d — 5,  6,  7, 
and  in  remarking  how  all  the  truths  of  revelation 
are  practical,  even  the  sublime,  and  at  first  view 
most  remote.  So  the  divinity  and  voluntary  hu- 
miliation of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  teach  us  humility : 
Some  men  say,  what  does  it  concern  us  to  know 
whether  he  is  God  or  man,  if  we  have  his  precepts 
and  example.  This  was  the  cry  at  Geneva  when 
Malan  first  arose.  Others  say,  these  doctrines  are 
all  theory.  So  the  ignorant  tiller  of  the  earth 
would  say  of  the  studies  and  theory  of  the  philoso- 
pher, concerning  the  relative  distance  and  position 
of  the  stars.  But,  these  once  known,  the  sea  is 
covered  with  ships,  and  all  nations  put  the  know- 
ledge into  practice. — I  have  seldom  spoken  with  the 
same  liberty,  and  I  hope,  force.  What  an  ineffably 
precious  and  glorious  theme.  We  have  had  some 
people  in  our  country,  more  pious  than  wise,  who 
have    run     into    the    notions    of  the    Quietists   in 


MATTHIAS    BRFEX  173 

France,  and  pressed  the  duty  of  glorifying  God  to 
the  absurd  extent  of  requiring  us  to  be  willing  to 
be  damned  to  promote  his  glory.  The  folly  of 
setting  up  this  test,  so  self  contradictory,  has  done 
less  evil  in  itself,  than  from  its  pushing  its 
adversaries  into  the  opposite  extreme  of  fearing  to 
declare  how  much  it  is  a  christian's  duty  and  honor 
to  set  the  glory  of  God  uppermost  in  his  heart,  to 
the  abandonment  of  self  as  far  as  possible.  I  had 
much  freedom  of  speech  in  reproving  kindly  this 
temper  from  the  11th  verse,  shewing  that  all- the 
system  of  redemption  is  to  the  glory  of  God  the 
Father ;  that  even  human  salvation  is  not  the  prime 
object  of  Christ's  coming  into  the  world,  but  the 
secondary  aim,  and  the  means  of  the  primary  and 
great  one,  namely  the  glory  of  God.  How  necessary 
is  it  for  us  selfish,  near-sighted  mortals  to  see  that 
we  are  not  the  centre  of  the  moral  system,  but 
that  God  is  all  in  all.  When  we  see  the  sun  rise, 
our  first  thought  should  be  of  the  exhibition  of  God's 
glorious  majesty,  the  second  that  now  we  can  walk 
safely  through  this  troubled  earth.  And  so,  when 
the  sun  of  righteousness  rises,  our  first  thought 
should  be  to  bow  at  the  name  of  Jesus,  and  second, 
that  every  soul  that  bows  to  him  gladly  shall  without 
doubt  be   saved  everlastingly.  *         *         * 

For  personal  religion  and  theoretical  study  of  the 
word  of  God,  I  feel  the  very  essential  to  be,  to  en- 
throne   omnipotence,  to  prostrate    ourselves  under 


174  MEMOIRS  or 

God's  sovereignty,*  and  when  we  meet  a  fact  in 
nature,  or  a  fact  or  doctrine  in  revelation,  which  we 
cannot  explain,  just  let  it  stand  like  a  rock  in  the 
ocean,  and  let  human  prejudice  or  passion  beat 
against  it  as  violently  as  it  will.  We  may  often  rest 
upon  some  such  fact  amidst  our  troubles,  and  feel  it 
to  be,  what  Noah's  dove  could  not  find,  a  resting 
place.  We  should  never  doubt  the  existence,  wisdom, 
goodness  and  truth  of  God,  because  we  have  little 
wisdom,  and  less  goodness  and  truth.  The  disposi- 
tion grows  upon  me,  which  you  remember  in  me  at 
Kelso — to  be  unmoved  at  any  objections,  if  I  only  see 
a  thing  clearly  revealed  in  the  word  of  God.  I  hold 
with  but  slender  confidence  to  any  reasoning  on 
earth,  in  comparison  with  the  manner  in  which  the 
most  abstruse  doctrines  found  there  take  hold  of 
m.y  mind." 

New  York,  March  24th,  1824. 
"  I  have  written  a  copious  analysis  and  review  of 
Irving's  Orations  for  the  Spectator ;  but  it  is  one  of  the 
miseries  of  reviewing  to  find  yourself  condensed  and 
abridged  for  want  of  room.  ***** 
My  success  in  the  enterprise  of  getting  up  a  church 
in  this  neighborhood  is  still  problematical.  I  hope  for 
the  best  and  have  not  yet  lost  courage.  We  have 
been  much  disappointed  in  some  of  our  calculations." 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  175 

New  York,  April  30tli,  1821. 
"  Some  weeks  ago  providence  brought  to  my  oflcr 
SL  situation  for  which  I  think  I  am  fitted,  and  which 
opens  a  sphere  of  usefuhiess  incomparably  greater 
than  any  single  minister's  charge.  We  have  in  this 
city  a  Domestic  Missionary  Society  whose  object  is 
to  aid  feeble  congregations  in  supporting  their  minis- 
ters. We  oppose  the  system  of  itinerancy,  but  by 
giving  a  small  sum  to  a  congregation  who  can  give 
food  and  raiment  to  a  preacher,  we  locate  the  gos- 
pel and  church  ordinances  in  their  neighbourhood. 
Without  some  such  plan,  all  our  country  will  be  a 
waste,  even  where  fdled  with  inhabitants ;  but,  with  it, 
our  hamlets  will  grow  up  to  towns,  under  the  care  of 
a  well  instructed  ministry.  This  Society  is  the  most 
popular  and  best  conducted  of  all  our  missionary  in- 
stitutions. Their  business  has  increased  so  much  that 
they  find  it  necessary  to  have  one  person  whose  whole 
time  and  talents  they  can  command.  It  has  been  re- 
quested that  I  become  their  secretary. 

I  have  been  constrained  to  draw  up  the  report  of 
the  young  men's  missionary  society,  auxiliary  to  the 
other,  and  must  now  in  a  week  have  the  annual  re- 
port of  the  parent  society  ready,  materials  for  which 
must  be  hunted  out  from  among  the  correspondence 
with  the  sixty-seven  missionaries  in  the  employ  of  the 
society."        *  *  *  % 

Y 


176  MEMOIRS  or 

Philadelphia,  May  29th,  1824. 
Saturday  night. 

"  This  is  one  of  the  periods  when  we  have  promised 
to  recall  each  other  to  mind,  in  his  presence  who  can 
alone  bring  us  ever  again  to  see  each  other,  either  in 
this  world  or  the  next.  I  pray  that  upon  your  out- 
ward condition  and  your  heart  the  divine  blessing 
may  rest.  You  pray  for  me,  for  my  wife,  for  my  child 
incessantly.  I  would  most  gladly  owe  to  your  sup- 
plication, oi  all  living,  sinning  creatures,  those  mercies 
which  are  granted  abundantly,  and  which  are  obtain- 
ed only  for  the  sake  of  Christ  our  passover,  who  was 
sacrificed  for  us.  The  energetic,  fervent  prayer  of 
the  righteous  availeth  much. 

I  have  had  little  time  of  late  to  record  my  thoughts 
towards  you.  The  thing  which  most  entirely  affects 
my  calculations,  is  this  office  of  Secretary  to  the  Do- 
mestic Missionary  Society,  which  opens  to  me  a  field 
of  labour  extensive  enough  for  the  largest  energies  I 
can  ever  command.  *  *  *  I  shall  doubtless 
continually  recur  to  this  topic.  I  have  many  causes 
for  thankfulness  to  God.  *  #  »  * 
♦        *        *        #        * 

In  proportion  as  I  see  the  world,  religious  or  secu- 
lar, I  retreat  to  you  and  my  dear  Mary,  and  two  or 
three  more,  for  relief  from  all  that  my  head  and  heart 
find  common-place  and  tedious,  and  cold  or  dead  and 
wicked,  in  the  mass  of  the  immortal  creation  who  oc- 
cupy the  earth  around  us.      #        *        *        *        It 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  177 

has  been  with  no  Httlc  inconvenience  that  I  have  been 
kept  closely  confined  here  for  the  last  ten  days,  about 
tthe  business  of  the  General  Assembly,  on  a  commis- 
sion from  our  Presbytery.  I  am  sick  of  the  secular 
business,  and  the  secular  v^^ay  of  transacting  busi- 
ness before  the  Assembly ;  and  yet  how  much  less 
have  we  than  befalls  you  in  Edinburgh.  We  have 
one  member  who  has  travelled  two  thousand  three 
hundred  miles,  to  represent  his  Presbytery  here. — 
He  might  have  made  it  one  thousand  six  hundred, 
had  he  come  by  the  nearest,  but  worst  route. — And 
yet  this  city  of  Penn  is  about  as  central  as  any 
place  we  can  find ;  if  not  geographically  so,  yet  cen- 
tral by  the  means  of  conveyance  to  it !  Our  session 
will  probably  be  a  little  more  than  a  fortnight,  our 
proceedings  are  closely  copied  after  the  Edinburgh 
model;  and  Dr.  Witherspoon  was  quoted  only  the 
other  day  as  having  laid  down  the  law  to  us,  thus  and 
thus,  when  he  ruled  in  the  Moderator's  chair.  What 
makes  us  very  secular,  is  the  trials  we  hold  in  appeals 
in  matters  of  scandal,  so  that  we  are  in  danger  of  be- 
ing the  receptacle  into  which  every  scandalous  story 
of  a  minister  who  is,  or  ought  to  be  deposed,  is  to  be 
brought.  I  hope  that  some  of  us  will  be  able  to  effect 
a  change  in  this  particular ;  and  make  the  synods  the 
courts  of  ultimate  appeal,  and  thus  keep  ourselves 
strictly  to  our  spiritual  business.  This  is  exceedingly 
important  if  we  will  preserve  our  character  and  in- 
fluence." 


178  MEMOIRS   OF 

New  York,  June  14th,  1824. 
"  Mr  Whelpley  is  gone  to  Schooley's  mountain,  with 
but  a  slender  prospect  of  his  living,  to  leave  it,  and 
without  the  vestige  of  hope  on  my  part  that  he  can 
recover.  **-*#**« 
Amidst  these  reflections,  there  is  infinite  reason  for 
me  to  think  of  what  he  takes  with  him — even  the  re- 
cord of  eight  years  of  ministerial  life  to  be  given  in  to 
God.  Who  can  tell  what  these  words  mean — stew- 
ardship— talents — God — Christ — eternity.  God  grant 
that  I  be  not  hardened  against  his  fear,  and  that  this 
providence  may  heat  my  cold,  polluted  heart,  and  the 
new  man  grow  within  me  day  by  day.  *  *  * 
My  office  is  very  pleasant,  but  the  labour  is  abundant 
and  very  apt  to  get  the  start  of  me,  if  I  am  not  very 
regular.  The  committee  expect,  and  with  reason, 
that  I  should  not  only  keep  up  the  correspondence 
with  the  Missionaries,  but  devise  the  ways  and  means 
of  helping  our  funds.  I  can  easily  plan,  but  the  exe- 
cution is  tiresome,  and  though  ours  is  the  most  popu- 
lar Missionary  Society  in  the  land,  begging  is  not  de- 
lightsome to  me.  I  am  to  preach  around  the  country 
and  get  collections,  and  form  auxiliary  societies." 

New  York,  July  31st,  1824. 

"  The  event  I  anticipated  came  by  a  very  speedy 

advance,  and  Mr  Whelpley  expired  on  the  17th  inst. 

He  was  perfectly  aware  of  his  situation,  and  has  left 

to  his  bereaved  wife  the  best  and  only  consolation. — 


MATTHIAS    BRUEV.  179 

When  I  told  him  before  he  went  from  Greenwich,  it 
was  very  doubtful  whether  he  could  recover,  and  that 
he  might  be  taken  away  in  four  or  five  days,  he  re- 
ceived the  information  with  entire  composure,  and 
said  his  own  hopes  of  ultimate  recovery  had  all  along 
been  feeble.  As  death  came  very  near,  his  heart 
abounded  in  prayer,  he  seemed  to  wish  to  converse 
but  little,  said  that,  "  the  Lord  Jesus  was  near,"  that 
"  if  his  work  was  concluded  he  had  no  desire  to  re- 
main, the  Lord's  will  be  done."  There  were  no  rap- 
turous exercises  in  the  solemn  period,  but  all  was 
meekness  and  submission,  and  seemed  a  fulfilment  of 
our  Lord's  injunction,  the  receiving  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  like  a  little  child.  *  *  *  *  The 
effect  of  all  this  upon  myself  is  little  indeed.  It 
seems  as  if  my  heart  were  all  stone,  and,  as  if  all  that 
had  passed  were  a  dream.  May  a  merciful  God  grant 
that  it  do  not  increase  my  condemnation.  May  he 
excite  in  me  by  its  means  a  deeper  feeling  of  minis- 
terial responsibility,  and  the  momentous  stewardship 
for  an  eternal  world,  which  Christ  has  committed  to 
me.  It  amazes  me  that  I  should  think  less  of  dying — 
I  mean  think  it  a  less  awful  and  mighty  thing,  than  I 
did  some  weeks  ago ;  yet  I  fear  it  is  so.  Pray  for  me 
my  dearest  sister,  that  I  may  yet  Hve,  and  that  I  may 
not  be  speedily  smitten  in  a  way  which  will  strike 
nearer  home."        *        *        *        * 

Every    Christian  knows  that  feeling  hardness   of 
the  heart  is  a  token  of  a  tenderness  of  conscience,  and 


180  MEMOIRS   OF 

that  those  who  sincerely  lament  their  insensibility,  are 
often  distinguished  for  piety.  To  one  who  knew  in- 
timately the  tenderness  of  his  spirit,  and  the  contri- 
tion of  many  of  his  spiritual  exercises,  Mr  Bruen's 
frequent  mourning  over  the  hardness  of  his  heart 
seems  surprising.  It  must  nevertheless  be  confessed 
that  his  religious  experience  was  at  this  period,  more 
of  the  character  which  proceeds  from  the  conviction 
of  the  understanding  than  of  the  heart.  His  volume 
of  "  Essays"  evinces  in  some  degree  this  state  of 
mind,  and  it  was  the  remark  of  one  who  Hstened  with 
intense  interest  to  his  ministrations  at  this  period,  that 
"  his  sermons  failed  to  indicate  much  love  for  the  truth. 
He  seemed  sincere,  convinced,  awed,  but  had  not  that 
glow  of  heart  which  should  belong  to  a  minister  of 
the  everlasting  covenant  of  love."  And  of  himself  he 
says,  *'  You  know  how  much  conviction  of  the  truth, 
and  fear  of  punishment,  have  prevailed  in  the  exercises 
of  my  soul.  Yet  who  could  with  more  reason  speak 
of  the  love  and  mercy  of  Jesus  with  a  full  heart? 
Who  has  experienced  more  undeserved  favours? 
Who  has  oftener  abused  precious  gifts  ?  Who  has 
oftener  tired  the  long  suffering  of  God,  as  if  wantonly 
desirous  to  know  its  utmost  bounds  ?  God  be  merci- 
ful to  me  a  sinner !"  His  soul  was  still  aspiring  after 
greater  things,  and  in  him  was  accomplished  the 
blessing  promised  to  those  who  hunger  and  thirst  after 
righteousness.  His  love  increased  with  his  labours, 
and  it  is  particularly  worthy  of  notice  here,  that  his 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN^  181 

prayers  seemed  to  have  been  answered  in  such  a  de- 
gree as  at  least  to  save  him  from  the  misery  of  con- 
stant dissatisfaction,  and  mistrust  of  himself;  for  his 
letters  express  more  of  assured  and  calm  confidence 
in  the  Saviour,  in  proportion  as  his  mind  was  turned 
from  himself,  and  towards  Him  in  faith  and  love.  In 
proportion  as  his  whole  soul  was  absorbed  in  caring 
for  the  souls  of  others,  he  found  in  his  own  bosom 
the  peaceable  fruits  of  righteousness ;  and  this  was 
evinced  by  enlarging  charity,  enlivening  spiritual  ex- 
ercises, and  diminishing  solicitude  about  the  events  of 
life,  and  the  approach  of  death. 

After  the  affecting  mention  of  Mr  W.  in  the  pre- 
ceding letters,  the  following  description  given  by  Mr 
B.  ought  not  to  be  suppressed,  for  there  are  many 
christian  hearts  in  America,  who  still  mourn  the  death 
of  this  excellent  minister  of  Christ. 

"  Mr  Whelpley  possessed  pulpit  qualifications  of  the 
highest  order.  He  was  gifted  with  a  very  interesting 
countenance,  aspect,  and  figure  ;  his  voice  was  sonor- 
ous, clear,  and  flexible  in  its  tones,  his  gesture  was  sim- 
ple, grave,  and  appropriate.  Indeed  it  is  not  easy  to 
conceive  of  one  naturally  better  qualified  for  the  pulpit 
orator.  While  he  did  not  discountenance  these  ad- 
vantages by  neglect,  his  heart  was  too  truly  touched 
by  the  love  of  souls  to  value  them  if  separated  from  a 
simple  declaration  of  the  glorious  gospel  of  God  our 
Saviour:  When  made  the  vehicle  of  expressing  this 
gospel,  and  not  brought  into  the  foreground  of  the  pic- 


182  MEMOIRS   OF 

ture,  they  are  like  the  net  work  of  silver  in  apples  of 
gold ;  but  for  mere  oratory  in  the  pulpit,  none  could 
feel  more  entire  compassion  than  he." 

It  has  so  often  been  said  by  the  misjudging  world, 
that  Christianity  unfits  men  for  the  common  duties  of 
life,  and  withdraws  them  from  its  general  interests, 
that  we  with  pleasure  present  a  letter,  which  shows 
how  largely  Mr  B.  partook  of  that  patriotic  enthusi- 
asm which  pervaded  his  country  at  the  time  of  the  visit 
of  La  Fayette.     Who,  indeed,  that  is  true  of  heart  of 
whatever  country,  does  not  respond  to  the  generous 
emotion?  It  was  like  the  shout  of  victory — it  was  a  time 
of  congratulation  and  joy — The  struggles  of  infancy, 
the  difficulties  of  childhood,  the  conflicts  of  youth  were 
happily  past ;  and  the  noble  patriot  now  grown  grey, 
had  returned  to  witness  the  manhood,  the  prosperity, 
the  success  of  that  people,  in  whose  earliest  exertions 
he  had  taken  so  disinterested  a  share.  This  is  the  hour 
for  the  citizen  of  the  world,  the   generous  patriot, 
the  true  philanthropist  to  be  glad ;  for  a  great  people 
had  risen  up  to  make  an  experiment  on  a  gigantic 
scale,  of  a  form  of  government  calculated  to  draw 
forth  all  the  energies  of  man,  and  La  Fayette  is  come, 
to  behold  the  wonders  which  they  had  achieved  since 
the  day  when  his  fostering  care  had  nerved  their  in- 
fant arm.    No  one  could  have  returned,  unless  Wash- 
ington himself  had  arisen  from  the  grave,  around 
whom  a  grateful  and    prosperous  multitude  would 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  183 

have  pressed  with  such  ardent  enthusiasm.  In  con- 
templating the  benignant  delight  of  the  guest,  and  the 
individual  elation  of  spirit  of  each  citizen  of  the  United 
States,  it  is  difficult  to  determine  which  of  them  was 
on  that  great  jubilee  the  happiest. 

New  York,  August  2d,  1824. 
"Yours    of  the  21st  of  June,  my  beloved  sister, 
came  to  my  hands  on  a  day  exceedingly  memorable 
in  our  brief  national  annals,  for  the  universal  enthu- 
siasm it  excited.     Your  letter  and  General  de  la  Fay- 
ette came  into  our  harbour  at    the  same  moment. 
Since  the  peace  of  1814,  and  the  peace  of  1783,  there 
has   never   been  such   heart-felt    gratulations,  such 
glowing  enthusiasm ;  all  the  military  turned  out,  all 
the  forts  firing,  all  flags  hoisted,  all  men,  women  and 
children  who  command  four  legs  or  two,  all  country 
folks    and  city   folks    came   to    meet   the  Marquis. 
Steam  boats,  steam  frigates,  &c.  &lc.  &c.  escorted 
him  up  the  bay.     A  more  splendid  sight  cannot  be 
imagined.     I  never  fell  so  entirely  in  with  popular 
emotion.     Without  any  of  the  feelings  which  would 
deify  the  man  (in  whose  company  I  dined  at  Paris.) 
I  could  have  clapt  my  hands  for  very  gladsomeness, 
to  think  that  he  had  come  to  see  us  in  our  opening 
prime,  who  had  seen  us  in  our  infancy  and  wretched- 
ness, who  left  Versailles  to  aid  us,  when  our  troops 
in  midwinter  had  neither  shoe  nor  stocking,  and  the 
country  was  one  desolation.     His  name  is  identified 


184  MEMOIRS   OF 

with  the  first  breathings  of  admiration  at  what  my 
grandfather  used  to  recount  of  military  service.  *      * 

*  *  La  Fayette  has  been  received  as  the 
guest  of  the  city,  and  all  has  been  a  tumult  of  joy 
since  he  arrived.  He  has  gone  to  Boston,  but  he 
can  scarcely  get  along  the  road  for  the  triumphal 
arches  and  crowds,  who  gather  from  every  quarter. 
Sed  satis  est — I  never  felt  more  than  on  that  memor- 
able day,  how  entirely  the  best  of  this  world's  show 
is  vanity,  and  how  even  the  good  that  touches  our 
human  condition  is  mortal.  But  there  seems  som.e- 
thing  immortal  in  the  communion  of  heart  I  have 
always  with  you  at  the  time  of,  and  for  a  while  after 
reading  one  of  your  letters.  God  grant  that  it  may 
be  so !  *  *  * 

I  went  on  the  society's  business  up  the  North  River 
to  Hudson  and  Catskill  a  fortnight  since.  My  office 
is  pleasant.  It  requires  my  preaching  for  some 
weeks  just  at  this  time  but  has  not  yet  forced  me 
to  give  over  preaching  in  Bleecker  street,  where  I 
have,  as  you  conjecture,  some  dear  people  who  love 
me  with  all  their  hearts.  I  am  glad  it  pleases  you. 
There  is  however  a  good  deal  of  labour,  and  some 
drudgery,  as  you  suppose." 

October  15th,  1824. 
"  I  how  attempt  to  write  on  board  the  steam  boat. 
I  have  no  other  means  of  telling  you  how  seldom  I 
have  written  in  this  changing  and  deathful  summer. 


MATTHIAS    BRUEX.  185 

My  mother  is  gone !  She  died  last  week  and  was 
buried  when  I  was  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles  away. 
The  bond  of  thirty-four  years  between  her  and  my 
father  is  parted.  It  all  seems  a  dream  to  me,  entirely 
a  dream.  I  sec  her  in  imagination  at  home  as  usual, 
and  cannot  realize  that  the  being  who  gav^c  me  life 
is  never  again  to  minister  to  my  comfort.  "  *  * 
"  I  left  New  York  the  week  before  last,  to  preach 
for  the  society  and  make  collections,  and  attend 
a  meeting  of  Synod,  and  arrange  affairs  with  our 
auxiliaries.  I  went  under  an  impressive  sense  of 
duty,  embracing  my  child  who  was  very  ill,  with 
many  forebodings  that  I  should  not  see  her  again, 
but  not  dreaming  that  one  so  healthful  and  strong  as 
my  mother  was  to  go  before  that  frail  one.  At  Utica 
on  a  Saturday  morning  I  received  a  letter  from  my 
father  telling  me  of  her  dangerous  illness.  The 
mail  had  gone,  and  no  conveyance  could  be  had 
till  midnight,  before  which  time  I  received  another 
letter  informing  me  that  she  died  on  W'ednesday 
morning.  I  was  to  have  preached  three  times  in 
three  towns  adjacent,  but  I  set  off  immediately,  came 
as  far  as  Schenectady,  preached  there  for  the  so- 
ciety— do  you  censure  or  commend  ? — went  to  Albany 
on  monday  morning,  and  took  the  steam  boat  which 
brought  me  home  on  tuesday  morning.  Oh  that 
this  dispensation  may  quicken  me  to  work  while  it 
is  called  to-day.  There  is  no  end  to  the  work  to  be 
done,  no  visible  limit  to  the  field  of  usefulness  into 
which  my  office  introduces  me." 


186  MEMOIRS   OF 

New  York,  December  7th,  1824. 
"It  is  a  striking  part  of  the  mysterious  affinity 
between  us,  that  in  the  other  hemisphere  you  should 
hat^e  been  called  suddenly    to   mourn,    and  also   at 
a  distance,   the  death  of  one   so   nearly   related  to 
you,  when  I  was  writing   to  you  the  history  of  the 
unexpected  visitation  in  our  family.         «         *         * 
"Sudden    death!"      How    blessed   is    the    doctrine 
which  tells   us  that  this,  like  all  the  perils  we  pray 
to  be  delivered  from,  is  sent  of  God.     How  miserable 
would  be  our    existence,    if  we   thought    that    the 
cords  of  our  life  strained  to  parting  by  accident,  and 
we  fell  into  the  eternal  world    as  chance  directed. 
You  and  I,   dear  sister,  can  see  in  the  sovereignty 
of  God,  and  his  eternal  election,  anchorage  for  our 
souls  amid  life's  apparent   uncertainties.      It  is  like 
the  security  the  saints  feel,  when  from  the  eminence 
of  heaven  they  dwell  upon  the  fact,  "  the  Lord  God 
omnipotent  reigneth." — I  do   not  conceive    that   the 
conviction  of  the  truth  of  this  doctrine  is  any  abso- 
lute proof  that  we  possess  the  grace  which  leads  to 
the   inheritance  of  glory,  though  it  be  an  omen  for 
good ;  for  the  fact  of  this  divine  rule  commends  itself 
to   common  sense,  as  a  necessary    element  of  the 
worlds  continued  well-being.      What  may  be,  if  we 
live  some  years,  God  only  knows.     Letters  with  black 
seals  and  red,  times  of  fearful  mourning  and  exquis- 
ite happiness,  have  we  possessed  in  common.    Now 
letters  become  less  frequent,  each  day  is   pregnant 


MATTHIAS    BRUEIf.  1S7 

with  elements  of  change,  and  if  the  time  of  lilc  is 
lengthened,  we  pass  along  the  edge  of  eternity,  and 
it  seems  vain  babbling  to  speak  of  what  we  hope 
for  the  future.  But  the  end  cometh :  You  will  now, 
strange  that  it  should  be  for  the  first  time,  feel  that 
mysterious  nearness  to  eternal  things,  the  sense  of 
which  the  sudden  departure  of  your  own  flesh  and 
blood  creates.  *  *  *  The  nearness  of  the 
millennium — as  I  believe,  the  alertness  of  the  christian 
world — the  vast  engines  now  in  movement,  and  requir- 
ing to  be  worked  by  wise  and  skilful  hands — the  im- 
mense openings  and  immense  facilities  for  good  to  the 
souls  and  bodies  of  men,  such  are  the  thoughts  that 
elevate  me,  when  I  look  at  an  enlarging  family,  w^hich 
by  the  grace  of  God  may  be  prepared  for  labour. 
Sarah  and  her  sisters  in  the  faith,  rejoiced  in  the  old 
Testament,  because  theirs  exclusively  were  the  pro- 
mises, and  from  them  was  to  come  the  Messiah.  But 
we  rejoice  that  our  children  may  be  more  than 
one  of  the  stars  in  light,  that  their  attracting  and  con- 
centrating influence  may  gather  a  constellation  to 
brighten  in  the  reflection  of  the  Lamb  for  ever,  A  na- 
tion is  to  be  born  in  a  day,  ten  are  soon  to  follow  one 
when  he  seeks  the  land  of  promise,  and  thousands  of 
gentiles  are  to  say,  how  beautiful  upon  the  mountains 
are  the  feet  of  him  who  publisheth  peace.  I  trust 
that  a  blessing  is  to  go  down  from  you,  from  genera- 
tion to  generation." 

The  following  extract  will  show  Mr  Bruen's  views 


188  MEMOIRS  or 

of  the  nature  and  tendency  of  those  differences  in 
speculative  theology,  which  have  of  late  years  so  un- 
happily agitated  the  Presbyterian  churches  in  Ame- 
rica, 

New  York,  December,  1824. 

****** 

I  perceive  a  repetition  of  those  disastrous  contro- 
versies likely  to  ensue  in  southern  cities ;  and  I  do 
verily  believe,  that  this  dissension  hangs  as  a  comet, 
threatening  evil  to  all  our  western  churches.  It  will 
come  unless  christians, — I  speak  emphatically,  for  both 
classes,  I  believe,  embrace  the  salt  of  the  earth — who 
conceive  themselves  peculiarly  orthodox  can  consent 
to  leave  their  brethren  in  the  quiet  possession  of  their 
opinions,  and  in  freedom  of  conscience,  or  else  learn 
those  more  accurate  views,  which,  it  appears  to  me, 
the  bible  expresses.  The  light  will  grow  and  roll 
westward  to  the  Oregon,  and  they  will  have  the  most 
agency  in  spreading  its  effulgence ;  who  most  pray 
for  and  labour  in  revivals  of  religion ;  who  show  that 
the  great  criminaUty  of  original  sin,  is  a  choice  of 
sin — that  mere  natural  acts  can  have  no  moral  cha- 
racter— that  the  total  depravity  we  confess  in  our 
creed  is  a  depravity  of  disposition  and  heart  in  which 
we  are  perfectly  free  agents — and  who  urge  the  love 
of  God,  as  the  only  holy  motive  to  rule  the  will  and 
heart  of  man.  Alas,  that  I  should  see  as  has  been 
seen  here,  some  brethren  in  one  presbytery  denounce 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  189 

the  Others ;  charge  men  of  sound  doctrine,  and  holy- 
life  and  successful  ministry  with  heresy,  and  seem- 
ingly invite  the  demon  of  discord  to  preside  over  the 
ark  of  God.     I  was  in  Europe  when  this  controversy 
of  minute   theologists    reached   its   height.       I   saw 
enough,  however,  before  I  left  the  country  to  partake 
not  a  little  of  its  spirit — and  was  surprised  to  find  the 
great  men  in  England  and  Scotland — who  live  to  en- 
lighten  mankind,    and  roll   back  the   boundaries  of 
knowledge,  though  differing  in  many  particulars  could 
agree  to  live  in  a  league  of  christian  love.      It  would 
have  been  impossible  by  any  narrative  to  have  made 
them  enter  into  the  agitations  of  this  controversy.     I 
found  american  authors,  scarcely  endured  by  some 
at  home,  prized  as  if  their  pages  were  effluent  with 
original  truth ;  and  I  am  glad  I  learnt  thus  early  in 
life — that  the   dimensions   of  theological  knowledge 
may  be  vast  as  God's  omniscience,  and  that  the   pro- 
portion of  ti'uth,  as   important  as  truth  itself,  may 
when  duly  understood  level  mountains  and  exalt  val- 
lies  in  every  mind,  and  thus  prepare  the  way  of  the 
Lord.     I  determined  at  least  to  read  all  sides,  try  all 
things,  and  hold  fast  that  which  was  good.     I  went 
from  the  land  of  ancestry  to  other  parts  of  protestant 
Europe,  and  found    there   change    and   decay.       I 
went  into  France,    where   a  man   is  seldom  found, 
who  is  not  rather  of  the  mind  that  his  soul,  like  the 
elements  of  a  cabbage  leaf  is  disparted  into  insentient 
particles  when  he  dies. — And  I  went  to  Rome,  where 


190  MEMOIRS   OF 

it  is  difficult  to  find  a  man,  who  will  not  say  upon  due 
occasion  given,  whatever  may  be  his  conviction,  that 
he  will  believe  as  the  pontiff  may  prescribe.  And 
when  1  returned  to  my  own  beloved  land,  I  put  into 
force  a  lesson,  which  was  the  foUowing^-to  read  a 
book  before  I  decide  upon  its  quality — never  to  pro- 
scribe a  book  because  I  do  not  believe  every  jot  and 
tittle  in  it,  and  to  preach  before  all  men,  what  I  beheve, 
and  I  hope  I  shall  ever  practise  the  things  which  make 
for  peace,  and  live  under  the  practical  influence  of  the 
maxim,  love  edifieth,  #  »  # 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  191 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

The  occurrences  in  1825,  which  touched  the  spirit- 
ual progress  and  the  comfort  of  Mr  Bruen  most 
nearly,  are  his  resignation  of  the  secretaryship  of  the 
Domestic  Missionary  Society,  and  the  death  of  his 
only  child.  The  first  mention  of  the  resignation  of 
his  office  is  found  in  a  letter  dated 

New  York,  January  31st,  1825. 
"  You  would  be  glad  to  know  how  I  like  my  sec- 
retaryship, its  round  of  duties  and  responsibiHties. 
It  has  some  draw  backs,  sufficient  to  induce  me  to 
resolve  not  to  hold  it  many  months  longer.  In  the 
first  place,  it  puts  almost  an  entire  stop  to  all  intel- 
lectual progress,  leaving  me  scarcely  any  time  to 
study,  and  taking  up  all  the  choice  parts  of  the  day 
with  a  round  of  duties  little  more  than  secular.  With 
the  absence  of  the  habit  of  preaching  and  study,  / 
should  lose  the  power.  I  took  the  place,  and  gladly 
as  providence  opened  it,  now  my  duty  appears  mani- 
fest, either  to  combine  it  with  a  small  pastoral  charge, 
or  leave  it  soon.     After  many  discouragements,  we 

are  going  on  with  our  new  church,  called  the  Bleeck- 
2  a 


192  MEMOIRS   OF 

er  street  Presbyterian  Church.  We  have  purchased 
the  ground,  and  shall  erect  the  edifice,  if  the  Lord 
favour  us,  during  the  summer.  We  propose  to  con- 
nect ourselves  in  a  spiritual  communion  soon,  and 
then  I  take  upon  myself  the  care  of  this  little  company, 
who  all  love  me.  My  heart  dwells  much  in  the  pros- 
pect. God  grant  me  a  fitness  for  it.  "Man  deviseth 
his  way,  but  God  orders  our  steps."  So  we  change ! 
last  year  I  thought  to  stay  in  this  office  till  death,  now 
I  revert  to  the  scene  of  my  two  year's  labor." 

New  York,  March  15th,  1825. 

"I  seem  to  dream  when  I  commence  this  letter 
which  is  to  carry  news  more  disastrous  to  me  than 
any  I  ever  before  communicated.  Without  preface, 
my  dear  sister,  I  have  to  tell  you  that  it  has  pleased 
God  to  take  our  darling  daughter,  our  only  child. 
There  is  a  reality  in  this  misery  which  I  cannot  enter 
into.  Although  my  arms  laid  her  in  her  coffin,  and 
it  is  two  days  since  I  buried  her,  it  appears. like  a 
story  to  me  that  I  hear  of  and  have  to  act  a  part  in, 
but  which  does  not,  as  it  does,  touch  my  vitals.     *       * 

*  We  doubtless  loved  her  sinfully;  but  there 

was  a  sense,  an  apparent  loftiness  of  character  even 
in  her  playfulness,  a  grace  in  all  her  movements,  that 
promised  so  much  soul  when  she  could  speak,  that  we 
felt  it  only  homage  to  God  to  admire.  In  truth  I  could 
not  have  conceived  that  a  parent  could  have  such 
feehnfjrs  towards  a  child  as  I  had  towards  her.    I  felt 


MATTHIAS    DRUEX.  lO'i 

a  reverence  for  her.  I  felt  as  if  she  were  a  little 
being  sent  here,  in  no  sort  more  mine  than  that  she 
was  under  my  protection ;  but  then  I  never  felt  she 
was  to  leave  me.        *  *  *  * 

The  reason  of  this  chastisement  I  trace  up  through  a 
line  of  sins  from  my  infancy.  God  grant  that  my  hard 
heart  may  be  broken.  God  grant  forgiveness  of  my  sins. 
Mary  seeks  not  only  to  be  comforted  and  to  rejoice  in 
this  aflliction  because  our  dear  babe  is  now  a  glorious 
spirit  among  the  redeemed,  full  of  life,  and  soul,  and 
bliss ;  she  seeks  to  rejoice  in  it  on  the  simple  ground 
riiat  it  is  the  will  of  God.  Thy  will  be  done.  She 
says  that  if  it  have  the  eflcct  of  making  me  a  devoted, 
able,  sanctified  minister  of  the  sanctuary,  she  will  be 
glad  that  we  are  so  severely  bruised.  We  both  feel 
that  we  are  in  a  critical  moment,  that  all  this  will  do 
us  infinite  good  or  Jiarm  speedily. 

This  affliction  will  seem  like  a  bereavement  in  your 
own  family.  It  is  so.  How  have  we  set  our  hearts 
on  seeing  Mary  L.  love  her  name  because  it  is  yours. 
God  grant  you  the  sanctified  use  of  this  proof  that  he 
will  do  what  he  will  with  his  own.  If  a  wish  could 
bring  her  back,  we  would  not.  May  we  go  to  her — 
We  shall  then  go  also  to  the  same  Saviour  of  tliose 
little  cliildren,  in  whom  the  seeds  of  sin,  ere  they  were 
active,  were  eradicated  by  his  grace.  Oh  to  join  and 
know  each  other  there !         *  *  *  * 

The  dead,  small  and  great,  are  to  rc-appear." 


194  MEMOIRS   OF 

New  York,  March  30th,  1825. 
"  The  death  of  children  is  a  common  calamity,  but 
I  find  all  who  have  felt  it,  speak  to  me  with  an  unusual 
sympathy,  as  well  remembering  when  the  iron  enter- 
ed into  their  souls.  This  event  will  I  trust,  better  fit 
me  for  ministering  from  the  gospel  the  consolations 
which  God  has  provided  for  our  innumerable  trials. 
I  certainly  feel  this  loss  more  and  more.  May  God 
continue  to  grant  me  his  grace,  that  I  may  continue 
not  to  murmur,  as  I  trust  I  have  not  murmured  yet. 
We  have  thought  much  of  you,  dear  sister,  and  how 
the  sad  news  will  come  upon  you  without  preparation. 
We  pray  for  you,  as  you  do  for  us.  Your  dear  hus- 
band also  will  sympathize  with  us. 

My  labours  continue  in  the  Dom.  Miss.  Soc.  which 
is  blessed  with  singular  prosperity.  The  prospects  in 
our  church  brighten  exceedingly  from  our  being  join- 
ed within  a  few  days,  by  some  very  active,  intelligent, 
praying  christians.  *  *  *  #  Dr  Ro- 
meyn,  pastor  of  the  Cedar  street  church,  died  a  few 
weeks  ago.  The  sabbath  week  after,  I  preached  on 
Psalm  141  and  7:  "  Our  bones  are  scattered  at  the 
grave's  mouth,  as  when  one  cutteth  and  cleaveth 
wood  upon  the  earth.  But  mine  eyes  are  unto  thee, 
O  God  the  Lord ;  in  thee  is  my  trust,  leave  not  my 
soul  destitute."  The  following  sabbath,  I  laid  my  dear 
■daughter  in  the  grave."  *  * 


MATTHIAS    BRUEX.  195 

New  York,  April  24th,  1825. 

"  Our  missionary  year  is  just  closing,  and  the  busi- 
ness of  preparing  tlie  annual  report  pressing.  God 
has  granted  us  great  prosperity,  for  which  I  am  per- 
sonally exceedingly  thankful,  for  I  should  have  felt  it 
personally  a  great  rebuke  had  it  been  otherwise.  We 
arc  out  of  debt,  and  the  receipts  and  expenditures  in- 
creased one  half.  One  hundred  churches  have  been 
sustained  upon  ten  thousand  dollars,  which  I  believe 
to  be  as  economical  work  as  was  ever  done.  There 
have  been  revivals  of  religion  in  most  of  these  church- 
es, and  probably  from  two  to  three  thousand  souls 
converted.  Although  it  may  seem  in  your  land  of 
hereditary  opulence  no  great  work  to  raise  a  little 
more  than  £2,000,  yet  the  British  and  Foreign  B.  So- 
ciety scarcely  grew  with  more  rapidity  than  this  in- 
stitution. We  are  to  have  the  communion  too,  in  our 
church  on  sabbath  week,  when  some  will  join  us. — 
Our  edifice  will  be  done  about  the  end  of  the  year.  So 
you  see  I  am  filled  with  duties ;  either  work  is  enough 
for  one  man.  I  intend  in  a  few  months  to  decline  this 
office  in  favour  of  the  church,  which  will  need  vigour- 
ous  efforts,  and  the  divine  blessing." 

May  23d,  1825. 

*  *  *  "  Our  anniversaries  were  exceed- 
ingly interesting  at  the  Tract  and  Bible  societies ;  we 
had  Eustace  Carey  and  Mr  Ellis  the  missionary  from 
Taheite  and  the  Sandwich  Islands,  at  the  feet  of  each 
of  whom,  I  could  have  laid  my  heart  in  veneration. — 


196  MEMOIRS   OF 

They  are  on  their  way  to  England ;  I  trust  you  will 
sec  and  hear  them."        *        *        *        *        * 

New  York,  June  23d,  1825-  " 
"  The  most  solemn  duties  and  responsibilities  have 
devolved  on  me  since  I  last  wrote.  I  have  answered 
affirmatively  to  a  call  from  the  Bleecker  street  church, 
and  been  installed  as  its  pastor  by  the  presbytery.  It 
was  a  renewal  of  my  ordination  vows,  a  fastening 
them  down  to  a  definite  locality,  where  I  have  pro- 
mised to  do  the  work  of  my  master.  May  he  give  me 
strength.  I  shall  only  try  your  heart  if  I  repeat  all 
I  feel  and  have  often  said  of  my  own  condition  in  the 
view  of  these  duties,  which  are  delights  to  an  anointed 
prophet.  The  Domestic  Missionary  Society,  I  leave 
as  soon  as  a  suitable  person  can  be  found  to  be  elected, 
except  so  far  as  to  continue  one  of  its  executive  com- 
mittee. The  usefulness  of  that  institution  is  only 
limited  by  the  horizon  of  our  republic ;  but  I  hope  I 
have  done  right  for  the  interests  of  the  church  in 
leaving  it.  I  seemed  fitted  for  it,  but  such  is  the  secu- 
larizing tendency  of  its  cares,  that  I  often  felt  it  en- 
dangered my  soul  to  stay  there.  He  that  sitteth  in 
the  heavens  only  knows  where  my  soul  may  be  safe. 
This  world  looks  to  me  very  much  of  late,  in  the  sober 
grey  of  evening.  If  it  were  not  for  two  or  three  con- 
verts, who  honour  me  with  a  devotion  which  makes 
me  ashamed,  I  should  fear  my  ministry  was  never  to 
be  of  any  avail  before  the  night  cometh.  But  I  stand 
and  hope — alas !  I  fear  not  in  the  armour  and  with 
the  spirit  of  a  watchman  in  Israel." 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  197 

June  29th,  1825. 
"Last  Monday  evening  the  executive  committee 
iiad  a  meeting  to  consider  my  resignation  and  to  elect 
a  successor.  But  we  can  find  no  one  to  whom  the  in- 
terests of  this  loved  and  invaluable  institution  ought 
to  be  committed.  It  is  therefore  put  to  my  con- 
science to  jeopard  its  wcliare,  or  to  endeavour  so 
to  combine  the  duties  of  the  secretary  with  my  pas- 
toral charge,  as  to  manage  its  affairs  until  a  suitable 
person  be  offered  to  us  in  providence,  for  which  we 
earnestly  pray.  It  is,  taken  separately,  the  most  im- 
portant and  auspicious  event  of  my  life,  that  I  should, 
with  the  unanimous  approbation  of  the  churches,  and 
of  a  wise  and  faithful  committee,  have  managed  an 
institution  which  has  permanently  evangelized  proba- 
bly eighty  thousand  human  beings.  The  society  has 
just  about  doubled,  and  might  increase  in  the  same 
ratio  for  two  or  three  years,  if  active  agents  could  be 
had  to  pass  over  the  thousand  leagues  of  our  populated 
territory,  in  its  length  and  breadth.  I  see  deficiencies 
in  the  year,  which  fill  me  with  self-reproach,  and  see 
that  the  society  owes  nothing  to  me ;  but  other  people 
think  not  so.  I  must  build  up  Bleecker  street  with  one 
hand  and  the  society  with  the  other,  for  the  present. 
But  they  need  a  whole  man." 

New  York,  August  3d,  1825. 
#         *         *     "  How  can  we  forget  our  Mary — 
The  sensation  of  her  loss  creeps  all  over  my  flesh, 


198  MEMOIRS   OF 

when  I  write  her  name.  I  look  not  at  a  child  and  ask 
its  age  without  thinking  of  her  who  would  now  speak 
Papa  if  she  lived,  and  who  clung  to  me  with  inexpres- 
sible evidences  of  afiection,  from  the  first  moment  that 
she  could  choose.  Alas !  how  vain  to  go  over  all  this 
to  any  one,  of  which,  but  once  or  twice  I  have  spoken 
to  my  dear  wife,  and  then  only  to  learn  what  is  be- 
neath the  submission  in  which  she  has  faded,  and  seeks 
to  be  cheerful  and  to  make  me  happy.  God  sends  his 
rain  upon  the  unjust,  and  so  has  given  her  to  me.  But 
I  was  speaking  of  your  dear  name  daughter.  I  know 
I  idolized  her.  I  felt  as  if  she  was  not  even  to  be 
looked  at  but  with  peculiar  eyes,  by  a  select  few.  In 
remarking  how  I  regarded  her,  I  thought  this  after- 
noon with  a  strange  new  feeling,  that  God  made  her. 
God  has  made  her  anew  and  glorified  her.  His  name 
be  praised ! — this  blow  will  never  pass  from  my  heart 
may  it  be  ever  sanctified  to  me.  If  I  live  for  many ; 
years,  I  shall  think  what  she  would  have  been.  May 
I  think  what  she  is,  each  year,  in  heaven.  But  I  have 
lost  the  visible  tokens  of  her  love ;  perhaps  it  is  sordid 
to  inquire  whether  it  can  exist  where  she  is.  But  I 
should  have  been  too  rich  with  her.  I  did  not  intend 
this  strain,  dear  M — ,  when  I  took  my  pen. 
«  #  *  * 

Our  last  communion  was  a  more  comfortable  sea- 
son than  the  preceding.  It  seems  strange  that  God 
can  bring  good  out  of  such  poor  ministrations  of  his 
truth,  as  I  offer  at  his  altar.    Just  now  I  find  an  or- 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  199 

phan  girl  of  sixteen  under  conviction,  commencing 
from  the  address  I  made  at  the  first  communion.  I 
am  rebuked  and  yet  encouraged  by  this  fact  exceed- 
ingly. I  always  fear  that  my  life  and  conversation 
are  so  little  spiritual,  that  whoever  sees  me  near  at 
hand  and  at  home,  cannot  be  so  benefited  by  my 
preaching.  But  God  can  send  by  whom  he  will  send. 
You  will  not,  dear  sister,  think  these  things  too  minute 
to  notice.  *        *        *        *- 

Within  a  few  days,  I  have  formed  a  friendship,  I 
hope  a  lasting  one,  with  a  young  minister  of  whom 
you  may  hear   much   if  we  live    a    few   years.     I 

therefore   name   him, He   is   not   much 

older  than  myself  But  the  years  I  have  spent 
upon  Italy  and  England,  he  has  passed  in  the  most 
prayerful  devotion  to  preaching  the  gospel,  in  which 
he  has  arrived  at  such  eminence,  as  makes  it  ap- 
pear doubtful  to  me  if  any  one  in  this  land  exceeds 
him. 

No  one  scarcely  ever  thought  less  of  the  wisdom 
of  words,  or  spent  less  on  the  human  part  of  preach- 
ing. Manner,  which  the  world  calls  eloquence, 
goes  for  nothing  with  him ;  and  as  a  natural  con- 
sequence he  rises  often  to  the  highest  eloquence. 
*  *  *  I  begin  to  look  forward  with 
much  delight  to  being  at  home  once  more,  and  to 
study.  I  think  our  preachers,  such  as  learn  in  the 
school  of  President  Edwards,  excel  in  usefulness,  any 

I  saw  abroad.    I  trust  I  shall  not  become  careless. 

2b 


200  MEMOIRS  OF 

I  know  manner,  gesture,  voice,  are  important ;  but 
unction,  thought,  and  power  over  the  conscience, 
through  the  truth  of  God,  are  so  separable  from  these, 
and  superior  to  them,  that  my  idea  of  perfect  preach- 
ing simpHfies  itself  daily." 

New  York,  Nov.  19th,  1825. 
My  ever  dear  and  faithful  sister, 

"  The  prospect  at  length  beams  upon  me  that  I 
shall  soon  be  released  from  the  trials  of  my  present 
service,  and  may  wind  myself  up  closely  in  my 
ministerial  and  private  relations.  My  home  for  the 
last  year  and  a  half  has  scarcely  been  home  to  me, 
from  the  necessity  of  attending  to  business  at  the 
distance  of  two  miles  every  morning.  My  prepara- 
tions for  the  pulpit  have  been  hurried,  and  entirely 
inadequate  to  my  own  apprehension,  although  my 
hearers  have  been  patient,  and  not  complained.  My 
friends  at  hand  have  been  unvisited,  those  at  a  dis- 
tance unwritten  to.  It  will  give  you  the  best  satisfac- 
tion to  know  that  I  am  about  to  deliver  my  office  into 
excellent  hands.  We  have  been  unanimous  in  our 
election,  which  is  a  happy  omen  in  providence.  I 
shall  retain  here  as  much  influence  as  I  desire,  and 
carry  away  many  lessons  that  are  invaluable,  an  in- 
fluence that  money  cannot  buy — an  influence  which  is 
one  of  the  most  solemn  of  God's  deposits  of  talents 
in  my  hands.  Although  I  perceive  some  faults,  and 
more  omissions  in  my  administration,  pardon  my  self- 


MATTHIAS   BRUEir  201 

love,  If  I  talk  in  governmental  style,  of  my  manage- 
ment of  this  little  province  of  our  Saviour's  kingdom, 
yet  the  unequalled  prosperity  of  the  institution  is  mat- 
ter of  general  remark,  and  the  increase  of  its  funds 
the  proof  of  general  approbation.  In  many  ways,  my 
life  long,  I  hope  to  aid  its  interests." 


202  MEMOIRS  OP 


CHAPTER   XIV. 


As  Mr  Briien's  experience  in  business,  and  his  in- 
fluence in  the  churches  increased,  the  correspondence 
which  at  one  period  was  an  important  item  in  his  oc- 
cupations, began  to  diminish.  Though  he  says,  "  the 
only  Uving  being  who  has  any  written  record  of  my 
actings  and  thinkings  is  yourself,"  yet  the  record  of 
1825,  was  less  extended  than  that  of  24,  and  that  of 
26  than  25,  and  so  on  to  the  end.  Nay  it  was  some- 
times painful  to  see  how  his  unchanging  and  exalted 
friendship  caused  uneasiness  to  his  generous  heart. 
The  recollection  of  how  much  he  formerly  was  accus- 
tomed to  narrate  of  himself,  and  the  reluctance  he 
felt  to  sacrifice  his  habit  of  writing,  which  he  knew 
gave  so  lively  an  interest  to  his  friends  in  Scotland, 
rendered  the  rarity  of  his  later  epistles  a  subject  of 
lively  regret.  His  exertions  were  drawn  forth  in  the 
most  elevated  cause;  his  time,  even  for  relaxation, 
was  consumed,  as  those  who  long  for  the  progress  of 
the  Redeemer's  kingdom  would  have  it  consumed ; 
and  if  the  earthly  record  be  less  in  the  year  1826, 
than  those  who  cherish  his  memory,  or  would  be 


MATTHIAS   BRUEJf.  203 

aroused  by  his  example,  might  wish,  \vc  have  reason 
to  believe  that  the  record  of  that  year's  exertions  will 
be  found  in  heaven. 


New  York,  January  23d,  182G. 
"  Since  the  beginning  of  the  year  I  have  not  written 
to  you,  nor  for  some  weeks  before.  With  the  business 
of  delivering  up  the  keys  of  ofhce  to  my  successor  in 
the  secretaryship,  has  come  the  duty  of  initiating  him 
in  its  details.     So  that  the  change  has  scarcely  yet 
been  a  relief  to  me.     A  fortnight  ago,  it  became  ne- 
cessary for  me  to  undertake  a  toilsome  journey  to 
Boston,  to  take  the  preliminary  steps  for  the  formation 
of  a  national  domestic  missionary  society.   Clergymen 
and  others  of  influence  were  to  be  convened,  and  as 
the  centre  of  operation  is  to  be  New  York,  it  was  re  - 
quired  that  some  one  should  represent  our  interests, 
who  is  acquainted  with  our  plan.     To  furnish  the  mil- 
lions who  already  live  beyond  the  Ohio  and  the  Mis- 
sissippi, with  the  institutions  of  the  gospel,  is  a  mea- 
sure of  inexpressible  importance,  and  I  think  not  even 
the  establishment  of  the  American  Bible  Society  is 
more  eventful  than  this  National  Home  Missionary 
Society.     I  set  off  through  weather  and  roads  which 
made  the  journey  very  disagreeable,  and  sometimes 
perilous.     The  business  of  my  mission  has  been  hap- 
pily accomplished.     There  will  be  a  general  co-opera- 
tion among  presbyterians  and  congregationalists,  in 
this  great  matter,  and  probably  the  evangelical  of  other 


204  MEMOIRS   OF 

denominations  will  largely  contribute.  We  intend  to 
appear  as  liberal  as  we  feel,  but  until  we  all  think  less 
of  denominations  than  we  do,  and  other  sects  become 
purified,  we  must  observe  certain  limits,  in  order  to  be 
sure  of  the  character  of  the  ministers  we  employ,  and 
what  are  the  interests  they  would  promote.  If  the 
Lord  prosper  tliis  institution,  as  he  has  ours,  and  give 
it  favour  in  the  eyes  of  the  people,  it  will  work  won- 
ders. You  see  your  poor  brother  ought  to  be  busy 
when  those  who  love  Christ  think  he  may  be  useful. 
I  feared  on  entering  on  so  great  a  matter  that  I  might 
be  the  Achan  that  would  rather  bring  discomfiture 
than  blessing  to  the  armies  of  Israel. 

Our  dear  little  church  prospers,  and  overwhelms 
me  with  astonishment  that  God  blesses  my  preaching. 
Some  in  our  sabbath-scliool  have  been  brought  under 
deep  concern  of  mind,  which  has  in  some  cases  issued 
in  their  conversion." 

New  York,  February  16th,  1826. 
"I  have  great  encouragement  in  my  preaching, 
considering  my  few  auditors,  and  hope  that  my  sphere 
of  usefulness  will  be  enlarged  when  we  enter  the 
church.  It  is  only  my  barrenness  in  secret  prayer 
that  weighs  me  down  with  the  impression  that  I  can- 
not be  useful ;  but  this  one  impression  is  like  a  moun- 
tain. My  views  in  the  doctrines  of  religion  attain 
great  clearness  chiefly,  at  present,  by  means  of 
Andrew  Fuller's  writings.      Ask  Mr  to  read 


MATTfflAS   BRUEX.  205 

them.  The  way  some  of  us  presbyterians  are  bred 
to  look  upon  the  gospel,  as  a  sort  of  special  provision 
for  the  elect,  trammels  the  preaching  of  the  glad 
tidings  of  great  joy  to  all  people.  Put  election  in  the 
place  it  ought  to  hold,  after  the  rejection  \vhich  the 
wilful  depravity  of  man  will  make  of  the  expression  of 
the  love  of  God  in  Christ,  and  then  we  only  see  in  it 
God's  purpose  that  heaven  shall  be  filled  with  holy 
worshippers,  gathered  and  sanctified  by  his  spirit  on 
the  earth,  and  we  understand  how  Bethsaida  and  Ca- 
pernaum really  increased  their  condemnation  by  re- 
fusing the  gospel  of  Christ.  The  fulness  of  the  love  of 
God  towards  a  sinful  world  can  never  be  too  loudly 
expressed;  it  has  no  bounds  but  his  own  holiness. 
Whosoever  will  become  holy  shall  be  saved  and  shall 
not  come  into  condemnation,  but  is  passed  from  death 
unto  life.  The  just  view  of  this  love  of  God  convin- 
ces of  sin  and  is  a  terror  to  the  ungodly,  as  much  as  it 
is  consolation  and  life  to  the  renewed.  I  hope  Fuller*s 
works  may  be  within  your  reach,  and  if  you  can  have 
president  Edwards,  read  his  account  of  the  revival  in 
New  England ;  his  sermons  seem  to  me  the  best  in 
the  language.  Your  volume  of  "Shippard's  Thoughts," 
is  excellent ;  a  little  wire-drawn  and  London  religions, 
I  think,  but  still  excellent.  In  some  things  new,  in  all 
useful." 

"  Will  you  tell  your  dear  husband  that  I  grow  daily 
more  tolerant.  My  organ  of  benevolence  will  never 
equal  his  I  know,  but  I  am  tolerant  to  all  sorts  of 
Christians." 


206  MEMOIRS  OF 

"  A  friend  walking  with  me  the  other  day,  in  the 
energy  of  conversation,  fell  upon  a  choice  way  of  de- 
scribing. He  spoke  of  one  man  whom  he  did  not  be- 
lieve in,  who  filled  a  certain  space  in  the  public  eye ; 
and  then  of  another,  a  methodist  preacher,  he  said, "  I 
believe  in  him.  In  short,  /  believe  in  every  body  who  be- 
lieves in  prayer.^^  I  also  am  exceedingly  tolerant  to 
every  body  who  believes  in  prayer.  The  straitness 
of  sect  finds  no  advocate  in  me,  and  if  I  were  once 
more  at  your  dear  husband's  table,  I  should  express 
my  deep  regret  at  the  almost  intolerable,  immeasura- 
ble widejiess  of  the  straitness  of  a  Confession  of  Faith, 
that  fills  a  volume.  Here  is  surely  too  much  to  sign 
to.  But  it  may  be  safest,  and  as  I  happen  to  believe 
it  all,  it  only  does  me  harm  by  shutting  me  out  from 
nearer  communion  with  those  whom  I  ought  to  love. 
We  are  coming  to  have  a  tempest  of  a  controversy  in 
our  church  about  Confessions  of  Faith.  What  it  will 
issue  in,  whether  a  better  understanding  of  our  Chris- 
tian liberty,  I  know  not,  but  I  trust  we  may  live  to  see 
the  day  when  we  shall  be  much  further  advanced  to- 
wards the  millennial  state  than  at  present.  Douglas 
of  Cavers"finely  remarks  of  the  bible  society,  that  it 
has  done  better  than  to  confute  a  thousand  heresies ; 
it  has  silenced  the  controversy.  All  lovers  of  philan- 
thropic societies,  all  men  valorous  for  Christ  and  full 
of  good  deeds  to  their  fellow  men,  in  this  great  age, 
are  becoming  visible,  and  must  love  each  other,  and 
the  vast  stream  of  effort  which  christianizes  a  conti- 


MATTIIIAS    nRUE\.  207 

ncnt,  may  hereafter  stand  in  tlio  stead  of  a  Confession 
ofFailh. 

The  apocryphal  controversy  is  exciting  great  at- 
tention here,  not  merely  as  threatening  the  greatest 
monument  of  living  Christianity,  the  Bible  Society,  hut 
because  we  have  ourselves  a  most  deep  stake  in  the 
question.      The   American    B.    S.    circulates   all   its 
Spanish  biblesVith  the  apocrypha ;  it  is  said  they  will 
not  be  otherwise  received.      The  opening  in  South 
America  is  for  millions  upon  millions  of  the  word  of 
life;  and  the  mind  of  an  angel,  if  he  Iiad  not  divine 
knowledge,  might  tremble  when  lie  decided  whether 
millions  should  have  the  bible  with  Bell  and  the  Dragon, 
and  let  the  sword  of  the  spirit  kill  the  heresy ;  or  tens 
have    our    authentic    copy.      Yet   I   incline   pretty 
strongly   to   the  Scottish  view   of  the  subject.     We 
have  received  the  circular  of  the  B.  and  F.  B.  S.  and 
shall  soon  note  our  opinion.     Surely  in  so  great  a 
question   God  will  not  pei'mit  his  servants  to  unite 
deliberately  in  a  wrong  opinion.     The   final  issue  in  . 
London  we  shall  regard  with  the  deepest  interest." 

New  York,  June  7th,  1828. 
"  Our  church  has  been  opened  amid  such  middling 
success  as  may  just  encourage  and  not  elate.  Per- 
severance and  prayer  and  the  divine  blessing  may 
fill  it ;  but  for  some  time  as  hitherto,  I  must  be  content 
with  a  little  audience.  We  have  begun  to  build  a 
dwelhng  house  next  to  the  church,  and  if  we  do  not 
2c 


'^08  MEMOIRS    OF 

ilic,  wc  shall  Ixjgin  to  live  in  a  few  years.     ''  Say  not 
it  is  thy  rest." 

*  *  Our  May  meetings  were  full  of  inter- 
est. The  American  Home  Missionary  Society  was 
formed  amid  happy  omens  of  success.  The  Jews' 
society  has  undergone  a  radical  reform,  in  which  I 
have  been  forced  to  be  active,  and  run  right  counter 
to  some,  I  know  not  whether  to  call  them  friends  or 
acquaintances.  I  have  got  a  good  deal  of  odium  in 
a  certain  quarter,  and  the  approbation  of  my  own 
conscience.  Wo  must  now  make  it  a  missionary 
society  to  the  Jew^s-  To  complete  the  reform  I  have 
been  forced  to  accept  the  office  of  secretary  of  the 
Jews'  society  this  year.*  *  *  We  want  men 
for  our  great  societies.  We  are  learning  to  act 
liberally  upon  the  plan  Douglas  of  Cavers  suggests, 
to  pay  agents.  But  it  is  a  slow  business  to  teach  our 
common  religious  people ;  and  then  living  in  cities  is 
so  dear  as  to  make  large  salaries  requisite  for  officers 
in  cities,  which  hurts  collections  in  the  country.  But 
we  must  come  to  this.  We  must  have  the  best  men 
in  the  land  in  the  bible  and  missionary  societies,  and 
pay  them  accordingly.  If  my  heart  did  not  sigh 
after  the  pastoral  office,  I  would  take  some  such 
place  as  watchman  upon  the  walls.  *  *  * 
Above  all  things  these  societies  must  be  economical- 
ly managed. 

*  The  report  this  year  of  the  Jews'  Society,  was  written  by  Mr  B.  In  the 
same  month  he  resigned  the  office  of  8cere(ary,  as  he  saw  no  probability  of  being 
able  to  accomplish  his  object 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  2{){) 

Mr  13r Lien's  attention  seems  first  to  have  Ixx^n  at- 
tracted to  the  management   of  the    Jewish  society 
some  time  previous  to  this  date,  when  he  wrote  of  the 
danger  of  exciting  Jewish  cupidity  by  providing  too 
comfortable  an  asylum  for  converted  Jews ;  and  also 
of  the  operosc  and  costly  method  of  drawing  conver- 
ted   Jews   from  Poland   and  Germany,  where  they 
might  have  constant  opportunities  of  preaching  to 
their  brethren,  to  congregate  them  on  the  American 
shores.     It  is  likely   that  an  asylum    for   converted 
Jews  may  be  absolutely  necessary  in  some  despotic 
countries,  where  their  brethren,    whose   faith    they 
have  outraged  by  forsaking  it,  may  find   multiform 
methods  of  afflicting  and   tormenting  them.     But  it 
is  not  easy  to  see  how  the   plan  of  hiring  a  farm 
in  America  to  form  a  Jewish  settlement,  originated, 
unless  it  were  with  some  premature  interpreters  of 
prophecy,   who    having    settled    it    that  America  is 
"  the  land  shadowing  with  wings"  which  is  to  restore 
the    people   to  their    own  land,  set    about    fulfilling 
their  own  interpretation,    by    drawing    many    Jews 
across  the  Atlantic,  previous  to  emigration  <?/?  masse 
in    American    vessels    to  Palestine.      The  work    of 
conversion    is    not    in   general  promoted  by   forced 
and  unnatural  measures.     Jesus  did  not  go    out  of 
his  way  to   the   city    Sichar,  though   he  had  many 
souls  there.     He  went  because  his  road  lay  through 
Samaria.       Let    the    gospel    be  preached  to    Jews, 
as    to    heathens  at  their  homes,  and  if  after   their 


210  MEMOIRS   OF 

conversion,  circumstances   constrain   their  removal, 
they  will  find  providence  opening  their  way.     The 
varieties  of  opinion,   the   divisions  and    subdivisions 
of  those  who  have  wished  to   promote    Christianity 
among  the  Jews,   partake    mournfully  of   that  con- 
fusion of  counsels  which  prevailed,  when  there  w^ere 
three  High  Priests  in  Jerusalem.      Efforts  to  do  them 
good  remind  us  continually  of  that  judicial  sentence 
which  is  still  in  its  course  of  infliction.     Not  only  has 
"  blindness  happened  to  Israel,"  so  that  they  cannot 
see  Jesus  whom  they  persecuted  and  slew,  to  be  the 
Messiah ;  but  the  counsels  also  of  those  who  would 
enlighten  them  are  confounded,  so  that  not  knowing 
how  to  obtain  access  to  the  Jews,  they  fall  into  con- 
fusion and  variance  among  themselves,  expend  zeal, 
and  energy,  and  money  in  vain,  and  sit  down  disap- 
pointed.    Yet  how  honorable  the  motives,  how  inter- 
esting the  exertions  of  those  who  continue  to  hope 
and  to  pray  for  the  restoration  of  Israel.     All  who 
contemplate,  believing  the  wonderful  history  of  the 
Redeemer,  must  feel  a  brother's  interest  in  that  fami- 
ly of  the  world  of  which  Christ  came.     And  when  at 
last  the  glorious  hour  arrives,  unknown  to  man,  but 
surely  on  its  w^ay,  when  "  thousands  shall  be  born  in 
a  day,"  when  "  the  ransomed  of  the  Lord  shall  return 
with  songs  to  Zion,  happy  they  who  shall  be  engaged 
in  the  work,  and  be  the  earthly  instruments  of  accom- 
plishing such  heavenly  mercy.      In  the  mean  time, 
blessed  are  they  who  would  promote  the  great  restor- 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  2il 

ation  if  they  might,  and  who  have  had  faith  and  pa- 
tience to  toil  on  through  many  disappointments,  look- 
ing to  the  fulfilment  of  God's  word  as  their  only  in- 
centive, and  to  the  promotion  of  His  glory  as  their 
rich  reward. 

Those  divisions  which  a  few  years  ago  were  more 
obvious  among  the  friends  of  Israel  than  among  other 
christian  societies,  have  now  alas !  extended  and 
broken  out  with  bitterness  in  other  religious  associa- 
tions in  Europe.  We  see  all  the  machinery  provided 
at  great  expense  for  producing  a  mighty  eflcct;  but 
the  eflect  fails  to  be  produced.  The  stout  ship  is 
built,  she  is  rigged,  she  is  manned,  her  ensigns  wave 
against  the  sky ;  but  her  timbers  want  the  bonds  of 
christian  love,  her  sails  are  not  inflated  by  the  spirit 
of  prayer.  An  extract  from  a  very  recent  pamphlet 
by  the  same  Douglas  whose  work  on  the  advance- 
ment of  society,  is  so  often  and  so  respectfully  referred 
to  by  Mr  Bruen,  is  so  w^cighty  and  so  true  on  this 
subject,  that  it  cannot  seem  out  of  place. 

"  But  now,  not  only  has  no  considerable  progress 
been  made  in  the  great  work,  than  are  apparent  the 
usual  marks  of  decay.  The  enemy  has  been  success- 
ful in  his  w^onted  device  of  stirring  up  strife  between 
those  who  were  once  considered  as  eminent  fellow 
labourers,  workers  together  with  God  for  the  salva- 
tion of  the  world.  Disputes  as  to  the  measures  for 
spreading  religion,  have,  as  is  usual  in  the  course  of 
things  from  bad  to  worse,  been  fulluwod  by  disputes 


218  MEMOIRS    OF 

relating  to  the  doctrines  of  religion;  and  in  the  midst 
of  strife  and  contention,  the  spirit  of  hoHness  and 
peace,  it  is  to  be  feared,  is  less  felt  and  listened  to, 
and  is  preparing  to  withdraw,  in  some  degree,  at 
least,  his  reviving  influence. 

"Such  at  least  has  been  the  history  of  many  past 
times  of  refreshing  from  on  high.  The  work  of  love 
and  mercy  has  been  terminated  by  the  unholy  stri- 
vings and  emulations,  by  the  partizanship  and  divisions 
of  former  ages.  And  what  is  deserving  of  much  con- 
sideration, these  revivals  of  religion  have  often  gone 
before  the  destruction  of  the  nations  in  which  they 
took  place.  Thus  the  revivals  in  the  times  of  Heze- 
kiah  and  Josiah  preceded  the  Babylonish  captivity;  and 
the  pouring  out  of  the  spirit  in  the  days  of  the  Apos- 
tles, was  the  precursor  of  the  long  desolation  of  Judea. 
Thus  the  angels  restrain  the  winds  till  the  elect  are 
gathered  in,  and  thus  nations  become  fitted  for  judg- 
ment by  the  gospel  being  faithfully  preached ;  those 
who  receive  it  being  gathered  into  the  ark  of  mercy, 
and  those  who  reject  the  offer  of  salvation  being  ripe 
for  the  immediate  punishment. 

"  Every  thing  at  the  present  moment  depends  upon 
prayer ;  if  prayer  is  restrained,  the  reviving  work  of 
the  spirit  is  restrained  also,  religion  will  gradually  de- 
cay, and  Britain  will  follow  the  fate  of  the  nations  that 
have  gone  to  ruin  before  it,  and  which  from  neglecting 
their  appointed  day  of  repentance,  are  monuments  to 
all  succeeding  ages,  that  God,  though  long  suffering. 


MATTHIAS    DRUF.N.  2VA 

limits  the  term  of  his  Ibrbcarancc,  sayiiifr,  "  now  is  the 
accepted  time,  now  is  the  day  of  salvation."     But  if 
prayer  be  now  abundantly  poured  out  before  God, 
that  of  itself  would  be  a  sign  and  a  pledge  that  this 
country  is  not  only  to  be  spared,  but  made  a  chief  in- 
strument in  promoting  the  divine  purposes,  and  in  for- 
warding the  glory  of  the  latter  day.     It  is  true  that 
many  are  the  societies  now  in  operation  for  spreading 
the  gospel ;  but  small  is  the  result  of  all  their  labour 
and  expenditure.     This  is  partly  to  be  ascribed  to 
their  measures  being  ill  advised,  and  imperfectly  ar- 
ranged, but  most  of  all  to  the  influence  of  the  divine 
spirit  not  accompanying  their  efforts.     For  consider- 
able success  in  former  times  has  attended  much  small- 
er means ;  and  these  too  not  directed  by  any  remark- 
able sagacity.     One  great  reason  why  small  means 
arc  not  unfrequently  honoured  with  signal  success, 
while  large  resources  are  often  wasted  away,  is  this, 
that  in  the  first  case  men  have  no  temptation  to  trust 
to  an  arm  of  flesh ;  but  in  the  latter  case  they  often 
feel  confident  in  the  sums  of  money  they  amass,  and 
the  number  of  labourers  they  employ.     In  the  first 
case  the  glory  is  all  ascribed  to  God ;  in  the  second, 
men  are  more  disposed  to  share  in  the  honour  of  what- 
ever success  has  been  obtained."     Thoughts  on  pray- 
er at  the  present  time  by  James  Douglas,  Es(|.  IH.SD — 

p.n. 


2^14  MEMOIRS    OF 


CHAPTER    XV. 

New  York,  Jane  30th,  182G. 
My  ever  dear  Sister, 

"  In  what  crisis  of  your  Hfe  this  letter  may  find 
you,  it  is  fruitless  to  inquire ;  time  must  teach,  if  we 
have  time  to  learn.     Our  sympathy  is  unintermitted, 
and  our  love  for  you  not  seldom  presents  the  image 
of  your  trials.     This  world  looks  to  me  now  com- 
posed of  altogether  different  colours,  from  what  it  once 
shewed;  and  it  appears  to  me  nothing  could  have 
given  it  the  grave  aspect  it  now  wears,  but  the  death 
of  our  Mary  Lundie.     I  never  can  love  any  thing 
again  with  the  same  kind  and  degree   of  affection. 
Perhaps  you  too  are  yet  to  learn  more  by  the  severe 
pressure  of  your  continued  sorrow.     "He  will  not 
lay  upon  us  more  than  we  are  able  to  bear."     I  have 
been   recently  reading  "  Howe's  blessedness  of  the 
Righteous,"  a  volume  of  exquisite  practical  divinity. 
I  agree  with  Robert  Hall  and  Foster,  that  Howe  is 
the  prince  of  divines.     I  feel  corrected  in  your  last 
letter  in  reference  to  a  phrase  I  used,  "  the  common 
placos   of  consolation."     Truly  nothing  is  common 


MATTHIAS    BRUE?f.  215 

place  if  we  fully  believe  it,  and  no  consolation  small 
or  fading  which  God  offers,  if  we  really  take  it,  and 
how  much  may  we  not  take  ?  These  wells  are  full 
"whosoever  will,  let  him  take  of  the  water  of  life 
freely.  The  words  which  I  speak,  they  are  spirit  and 
they  arc  life."     May  that  life  fill  your  heart." 

New  York,  July  31st,  1826. 

"  Your  narrative  has  affected  us  as  you  knew  it 
would.  It  carries  me  to  that  home,  to  those  friends, 
to  the  person  of  that  friend,  towards  whom  certainly 
no  continuance  of  life,  and  I  hope  not  death  will  ex- 
tinguish my  tenderness.  The  angel  of  Ilis  mercy  has 
been  with  you,  who  is  afflicted  in  your  afflictions. 
Your  deliverance  hitherto  is  no  less  unheard  of 
than  your  trial.  But  it  seems  impossible  that  the 
consequences,  of  this  calamity,  for  such  it  is  now, 
whatever  be  its  everlastingly  blessed  issue,  must  not 
be  disastrous  to  your  health  of  body.  I  trust  your 
soul  will  prosper.  Out  of  this  furnace  I  pray  that  you 
may  come  the  brighter.  I  look  forward  to  the  time, 
perhaps  it  is  near,  when  some  catastrophe  of  impor- 
tance will  be  sent  to  visit  me,  who  have  with  so  little 
profit  had  many  trials  since  I  left  your  home. 

*       *      We  note  with  thankfulness  to  God  your 

deliverance  amidst  the  perils  of  human  help.     That  the 

physicians  have  added  so  little  to  the  sufferings  of  the 

dear  child  is  a  singular  mercy,  and  that  you  should 

have  had  so  many  hair-breadth  escapes.     I  fully  be- 
2d 


216  MEMOIRS   OF 

lieve  medicine  can  do  little  in  most  cases.  The  doc- 
tors think  so,  for  when  they  are  in  trouble,  they  do 
not  much  resort  to  their  own  remedies.  We  should 
gratefully  receive  what  relief  medicines  afford,  but  as 
to  making  ourselves  more  sick  that  we  may  be  well,  it 
is  perhaps  as  often  a  tempting  of  providence,  as  pur- 
suing the  method  God  points  out  for  health.  I  re- 
member the   resolution  you  fairly  expressed  about 

your  M in  the  moments  of  greatest  danger,  that  if 

she  were  to  die,  it  should  be  without  being  tortured  at 
last  with  blisters,  on  her  head.  In  health  we  feel  our 
feebleness,  and  that  we  are  in  the  hands  of  God ;  in 
sickness  we  must  acknowledge  this ;  and  while  God 
permits  men  to  know  so  little  of  the  real  nature  of 
diseases  and  their  remedies,  it  is  foolish  to  repeat  the 
sin  of  Asa.  It  is  one  of  the  mercies  of  God  that  we 
may  lean  upon  them  for  advice  and  alleviation,  but  it 
must  be  in  measure,  else  we  shall  find  them  as  a  broken 
reed  to  pierce  our  hand.  For  the  most  part  I  think 
physicians  an  article  of  luxury ;  I  would  always  have 
them  for  myself  and  my  friends,  and  generally  attend 
literally  to  their  prescriptions  ;  but  here  it  is  superla- 
tively true  "unless  the  Lord  keep  the  house,  the 
watchman  watcheth  but  in  vain." 

The  recent  pamphlets  from  Edinburgh  are  of  vast 
interest  to  me,  and  whatever  be  the  merit  of  Dr  An- 
drew Thomson's,  Mr  Grey's  has  much.  The  whole 
spirit  of  it  is  admirable,  and  the  talent  I  think  very 
considerable.      Among    unprejudiced   men,    it   will 


MATTHIAS    BRUEJf.  217 

pass  as  of  more  worth  than  that  of  the  St  George's 
Doctor,  for  whom  also  I  have  a  great  regard.  But 
with  the  author  of  the  letter,  I  see  in  all  this  much  of 
Mr  II.  That  letter  writer  describes  Mr  H.  exactly 
as  Dr  Mason  did  to  me  ten  years  ago.  You,  who 
are  perhaps  more  tired  of  this  painful  controversy, 
cannot  easily  think  how  much  Henry  Grey's  satisfied 
and  delighted  me.  The  question  is  of  vast  moment 
for  our  society  in  reference  to  Mexico  and  South 
America.  The  B.  and  F.  B.  Society  seem  to  have 
been  guided  to  a  most  just  and  truth-loving  decision. 
I  am  glad  to  hear  of  Malan,  he  will  always  do  good, 
but  he  is  very  fervid  in  believing  in  conversions  upon 
slight  evidence,  as  I  have  had  some  examples.  The 
impression  he  is  calculated  to  produce  is  great.  I 
correspond  now  regularly  with  no  one  on  either 
side  of  the  Atlantic  but  yourself,  so  not  with  him,  but 
I  always  love  and  revere  him." 

New  York,  August  23d,  1826. 
"  It  becomes  me  to  give  you  up  into  the  hands  of 
God,  trusting  that  the  time  of  your  deliverance  from 
these  deep  waters  is  at  hand.  If  you  reap  a  joy  pro- 
portioned to  the  measure  of  tears  in  which  you  have 
sown,  it  will  be  a  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory. 
Your  trials  seem  to  me  altogether  too  heavy  to  be 
borne,  and  I  especially  am  required  to  stand  still  and 
wait  for  the  salvation  of  God.  We  know  that  his 
government  is  the  best,  and  I  know  that  all  things 


218  MEMOIRS    OF 

shall  work  together  for  your  good.  It  is  often  said 
that  we  are  the  creatures  of  circumstances,  and  there 
is  much  truth  in  the  observation;  what  need  then 
have  we  of  the  doctrine  of  God's  all  circumscribing 
particular  providence.  That  providence  which  threw 
us  together  most  strangely,  has  separated  us  for  the 
most  part,  if  not  for  the  whole  of  life ;  but  the  period 
of  our  friendship  will  last  as  long  as  my  breath,  and 
the  effect  of  our  acquaintance  upon  my  character  will 
be  as  long.  What  shall  be  its  result  upon  our  im- 
mortal character,  God  only  knows.  We  will  look 
to  the  Lamb,  and  may  be  assured  that  if  we  belong 
to  Jesus,  He  has  decreed  and  will  cause  our  perfec- 
tion. Looking  unto  Jesus  we  may  confidently  hope 
in  the  mercy  of  God  unto  eternal  hfe.  If  it  were 
only  revealed  as  mercy  to  us,  if  the  blotting  out 
of  our  sins  appeared  only  as  a  deliverance  of  us 
from  death,  we  might  fear  to  believe  the  glad 
tidings.  But  when  we  see  the  higher  reason  for 
the  thing,  and  that  unto  all  principalities  and  powers 
in  heaven,  by  the  Church,  is  made  known  the  mani- 
fold wisdom  of  God  in  his  method  of  redemption, 
our  faithless  hearts  are  encouraged — then  we  see 
God  hath  made  all  things  for  himself.  Not  for 
our  sakes,  but  for  thine  own  great  name's  sake  is 
our  prayer,  and  we  feel  a  confidence  in  the  gospel 
that  grows  up  and  seems  like  a  pillar  of  heaven. 
It  combines  the  deepest  view  of  the  enormity  of 
our  sins,  with  the  highest   contemplation    of  God's 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  219 

increasing  glory  in  forgiving  Ihcm.  Such  may  be 
some  glimpse  at  our  thouglits,  if  we  are  saved,  and 
do  not,  being  enlightened,  and  having  a  taste  for 
the  heavenly  gift,  fall  away,  so  as  never  to  be  renew- 
ed to  repentance. 

It  is  easy  to  feel  when  we  are  at  peace,  that 
God  orders  our  circumstances.  But  when  trials 
increase,  when  we  are  tempted  to  murmur,  to  in- 
dulge ourselves,  to  throw  off  our  cross — then  to  feci 
that  God  puts  us  into  this  strait  to  try  us,  to  shew  us 
what  is  in  our  hearts,  is  difficult.  But  you  have  felt 
so  in  this  solemn  season  of  suffering.  You  have  pas- 
sed through,  or  arc  yet  in  a  furnace  heated  seven 
times.  Oh  that  it  may  not  shorten  your  life  here  as 
it  will  certainly,  I  behove,  promote  the  measure  of 
your  life  everlasting.  Does  it  not  often  increase  your 
sense  of  the  temporal  responsibility  of  having  chil- 
dren, that  the  flesh  is  heir  to  so  many  miseries  1  It 
is  one  of  the  thoughts  that  most  subdues  me,  and 
makes  me  willing  that  my  Mary  should  so  early  have 
been  taken  to  paradise,  that  she  might  have  lived  to 
suffer  as  your  S —  did,  or  to  suffer  as  you  do  now\ 
"  Man  deviseth  his  way,  God  orders  his  steps."  They 
are  delivered  from  evil  who  are  delivered  from  this 
present  evil  world. 

I  feel  remarkably  w^ell  since  my  visit  to  Saratoga ; 
the  waters  have  been  of  essential  service  to  me.  They 
are  probably  the  most  powerful  and  useful  waters  in 
the  world.    The  average  number  of  visitors  there  was 


220  MEMOIRS   OP 

said  to  be  twelve  hundred,  and  to  show  you  what  an 
asylum  we  have  here,  the  Ex-King  of  Spain  sat  at 
the  head  of  one  table ;  and  the  Ex-President  of  the 
Cortes  of  Spain  at  the  other.  There  were  many 
clergymen  there ;  much  to  see,  learn,  forget  and  de- 
spise, as  well  as  to  improve  from.  Summer  is  a 
time  when  by  the  scattering  of  our  congregations  for 
three  or  four  months,  our  churches  usually  languish. 
It  has  been  very  much  so  in  Bleecker  street.  The 
more  on  account  of  my  illness.  We  have  increased 
very  little,  and  great  diligence  and  much  labour  and 
prayer  will  be  required  to  build  up  our  little  church. 
I  fear  that  we  are  not  popular  with  the  poor  people 
around  us,  and  that  it  is  supposed  to  be  too  much  a 
church  for  the  rich ;  an  idea  that  can  only  be  eradica- 
ted by  visiting,  and  holding  meetings  in  the  houses  of 
the  poor.  This,  as  my  strength  and  other  duties  will 
permit,  I  must  undertake.  I  love  the  duties  of  my  call- 
ing ;  but  it  is  easier  to  sit  down  and  write  a  sermon, 
than  to  go  and  talk  acceptably,  and  usefully,  to  the 
poor." 

New  York,  September  30th,  1826. 
My  dearest  sister, 
"At  length  the  consummation  we  have  anticipated  is 

arrived — the  days  of 's  mourning  are  ended,  and 

other  and  tenderer  arms  than  yours  bear  all  that  can 
feel  in  your  late  precious  charge.  Dear  and  oppress- 
ed, afflicted  and  rejoicing  sister,  the  days  of  ymr 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  221 

mourning  are  not  ended.  There  will  ))e  some  back 
currents  in  the  flow  of  feehng  which  is  now  so  in  uni- 
son with  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  *  *  * 
Beheve  m.e  that  I  am  far  from  viewing  this  aflliction 
as  all  penal ;  I  know,  however,  that  pain  does  not  come 
without  sin.  It  comforted  me  when  our  Mary  was 
taken  away,  to  read  in  John  Howe,  that  as  God  never 
creates  for  our  good  pleasure,  so  he  never  takes  away 
life  for  our  punishment  chiefly,  and  that  it  is  a  very 
mistaken  inference  from  the  fact,  of  the  death  of  our 
friends,  that  our  punishment  is  the  chief  object. 

The  parallelism  you  speak  of  in  time  is  one  of  those 
coincidences  of  which  I  have  observed  many,  wdiich 
convince  me  that  God  ruleth  on  high.  I  am  as  sure 
of  his  moral  government,  a  government  which  has 
reason  and  motives  for  its  acts,  as  I  am  of  the  shape 
of  the  room  I  write  in.  Oh  that  my  deeds  were  as 
my  convictions.         *  *  *         I  remember 

a  perilous  illness  about  the  same  age,  w^hen  all  the 
blindness  and  obstinacy  of  sin  possessed  me;  such 
wilfulness  as  human  nature  at  every  age  can  exhibit. 
You  first  turned  my  attention  to  the  connection  of 
thought  in  the  passage,  "  This  is  not  your  rest,  be- 
cause it  is  polluted."  She  is  far  away  from  sin,  in  a 
rest  that  is  unchangeable,  where  associations  can 
never  cause  evil,  where  no  one  can  be  harmed  by 
those  who  approach.  Are  wx,  dear  sister,  to  have 
the  inconceivable  joy  of  entering  that  rest,  and  know 
ing  that  we  are  both  there  ?" 


222  M3M0IRS   OF 

Brighton  House,  October  4th,  1826. 
*  *  *  *  "I  have  ceased  to  hope 
any  thing  from  the  ?iatural  effect  of  afflictions.  I 
see  that  none  but  christians  get  any  good  from  them. 
They  are  sometimes  the  occasion  when  people  begin 
to  think  and  to  seek  the  Lord,  but  the  great  body  of 
afflicted  people  seem  more  brutish  than  the  beasts, 
and  many  mourn  not  so  long  as  the  beasts  for  a  be- 
reavement. This  may  sicken  us  of  the  world  and  of 
human  nature  as  it  is,  but  christians  are  assured  of  the 
benefit  of  afflictive  providences." 

New  York,  December  30th,  1826. 
*         *         *         *        "  The  last  Saturday  night 
of  the  year  has  come.     Our  Saturday  night  engage- 
ment I  feel  has   been  most  imperfectly   fulfilled  on 
my  part.     In  relation  to  nothing  does  my  heart  so 
much  condemn  me  as  in  reference  to  prayer.     My 
frequently   inadequate   and   earthly  attempts  at  this 
duty,  my  abuse  of  this  unspeakable   privilege,  often 
fasten  on  my  mind  the    conviction  that  I    am   not 
in  any  sense   that   is  saving,  within   the   church   of 
Christ.     But  there  has  been,  I  might  almost  say  an 
involuntary  performance  of  the  engagement,  always 
to  desire  that  you  may  find  in  God,  your  chief,  your 
perfect  joy.    It  seems,  to  look  back,  a  tract  of  years 
since  1817  to  1827,  when  we  count  days  and  years. 
But  how  all  that  space  seems  little  in  the  acts  of  his 
time.    It  seems  but  the  other  day,  sometimes,  since 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  223 

you  tapped  at  my  door  in  your  house  to  call  me  to 
breakfast ;  at  other  times  it  seems  an  age.  But  it  is 
inexplicable  to  me  the  time  seems  always  like  a  cold 
century  since  I  saw  my  departed  child  or  sister.  * 
*  *  *  I  often  hope,  and  ardently  ex- 
pect to  meet  you  once  more  in  this  world,  but,  if  never 
here,  may  it  be  where  the  body  of  death  enters  not, 
where  death  is  swallowed  up  of  life.  *  *  * 
I  touch  upon  my  avocations  for  the  last  sabbath  of 
the  year,  which  are,  as  usual,  two  sermons  in  the 
church,  an  extemporaneous  sermon  in  the  evening,  in 
the  lecture  room ;  and  what  is  unusual,  and  what  I 
have  never  done,  and  what  I  refused  to  do  for  Mrs 

S in  Paris,  a  private  administration  of  the  Lord's 

supper,  to  a  man  in  the  last  stage  of  a  consumption, 
who,  we  believe,  has  experienced  a  saving  change 
within  four  weeks,  and  who  wishes  in  these  circum- 
stances to  join  our  church.  Our  customs  are  set 
against  such  things,  but  I  am  little  or  nothing  fettered 
by  the  traditions  of  the  Elders.  Having  a  spiritually 
minded  Session  who  think  as  I  do  about  the  measure 
of  binding  power  in  the  usages  of  the  Presbytery. 
*  *  I  have  seen  nothing  further  than  what  you 
sent  me  about  the  B.  and  F.  Bible  Society.  My  opin- 
ions are  very  strong  against  the  Edinburgh;  and  if 
forced  to  condemn  in  the  lump,  I  think  them  vastly 
the  most  condemnable.  I  made  a  good  deal  of  sacri- 
fice,  and  being   requested  gave   Mr  Henry  Grey's 

pamphlet  with  the  others  to  the  Library  of  the  Ame- 
2e 


224  MEMOIRS   OF 

rican  Bible  Society.     It  has  excited  here  with  good 
judges,  great  admiration." 

The  American  Bible  Society  had  fallen  into  the 
same  error  with  the  British  and  Foreign,  by  sending 
the  scriptures  with  the  apocryphal  books  to  Spanish 
America,  and  other  Roman  Catholic  countries,  whence 
they  knew  the  word  of  God  would  be  excluded  with- 
out these  spurious  writings.  Their  managers  had 
their  attention  turned  to  the  subject  by  the  proceed- 
ings which  arose  upon  it  in  England,  and  having 
heard  with  much  regret  of  the  divisions  excited  by  the 
discussion,  adopted  the  most  judicious  measures  to 
prevent  a  similar  result  among  themselves.  They 
consulted  the  most  judicious  men  in  various  parts  of 
the  country,  most  of  whom  recommended  the  exclu- 
sion of  the  Apocrypha  from  the  Spanish  Bible.  After 
this  they  held  a  meeting  attended  by  all  the  board, 
and  many  ministers  of  the  gospel  besides,  of  whom 
Mr  Bruen  was  one,  when  they  came  to  the  following 
resolution : 

"Almost  in  the  commencement  of  their  distribu- 
tions, a  question  has  arisen  among  the  friends  of  the 
British  and  F.  B.  S.  as  to  the  lawfulness  of  circulating 
the  uninspired  relic  referred  to,  in  connection  with 
the  sacred  canon.  A  discussion,  long  and  anxious, 
has  resulted  in  the  resolution  of  the  B.  and  F.  B.  S.  to 
distribute  henceforth,  in  all  languages,  the  sacred 
canon  exclusively.  This  decision  has  caused  your 
board  to  inquire  also  into  the  propriety,  on  their  part 


MATTHIAS    BRUEPT.  325 

of  distributing  the  Catholic  scriptures.  They  have 
discussed  and  deliberated  with  deep  interest,  and  with 
some  diversity  of  views  as  to  the  lawfulness  of  sucli 
distributions,  yet  always  wdth  perfect  charity  and 
christian  forbearance.  They  have  sought  the  advice 
of  the  wise  and  prudent,  and  found  likewise  among 
them  a  diflerence  of  opinion.  To  perpetuate  that 
harmony  w^hich  now  so  happily  prevails  among  theii 
auxiliaries,  and  to  prevent  an  evil  which  has  shaken 
the  mighty  society  of  England  as  with  the  heavings 
of  an  earthquake,  your  board  have  with  great  unan- 
imity resolved,  "  that  no  book  containing  the  Apocry- 
pha shall  henceforth  be  issued  from  your  depository." 
This  resolution  has  in  a  great  measure  stopped  the 
circulation  of  the  Bible  in  the  West  Indies  and  >Spanish 
America.  Some  wise  and  good  men  thought  that 
the  Apocrypha  had  better  remain  with  the  express 
declaration  of  the  American  Bible  Society  annexed, 
that  it  was  not  a  part  of  the  inspired  word  of  God. 
But  surely  it  was  most  judicious  to  exclude  it  alto- 
gether, for  it  is  better  that  Spanish  America  should 
be  without  the  scriptures  for  a  time  than  that  the 
American  Bible  Society  should  be  shaken,  and  thus 
many  of  their  own  country  be  shut  out  from  their  in- 
fluence. 


226  MEMOIRS   OF 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

The  year  1827  is  marked  especially  by  a  severe 
visit  of  sickness  to  Mr  Bruen,  and  by  his  grovring 
animation  and  zeal  in  the  extension  of  the  christian 
faith.      A  remarkable  example  of  this  zeal  v/as  his 
having  projected  to  forsake  all  the  intellectual  enjoy- 
ments, all  the  polished    amenities,    all  the   christian 
society  of  a  large  city,  and  to  retire  into  the  fast 
peopling  regions  of  the  west.     His  object  was  to  do 
what  he  might   to  supply  that  new   population  with 
the  means  of  instruction,  and  save  them  from  pass- 
ing the  important  span  of  life  in  providing  only  for 
the  body.      This  plan,  even  had  his  life  been  pro- 
longed, would  not  have  been  executed,   as  it  was 
thought  more  for  the  edification  of  the  church,  that  it 
should  not  spare  a  member  who  united  great  mental 
refinement,  with  extensive  and  elegant  scholarship,  for 
a  service  which  might  be  better  accomplished  by  less 
pohshed  instruments.     But  though  unexecuted,  his  pur- 
pose to  make  so  great  a  sacrifice  will  not  be  forgotten 
of  Him  who  observed  with  complacency,  that  "it 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  227 

was  m  his   servant  David's   heart"  to  build  Iiim  an 
home."* 

New  York,  January  30th,  1827. 
*  *  *  "  But  I  will  proceed  to  the  inside — 
a  new  occupation  this  winter  has  given  me  much  plea- 
sure and  improvement — a  class  for  instruction  in  the 
Bible,  for  both  males  and  females,  separately,  one  in 
the  afternoon,  the  other  in  the  evening,  of  each  week. 
I  study  carefully  a  chapter  or  two,  with  all  the  help  of 
critics,  &c.  and  question  on  each  verse;  and  give 
them  leave  to  question  me.  I  have  thus  gone  on  at 
some  length  with  the  harmony  of  the  life  of  our  sa- 
viour from  the  four  evangelists.  I  preached  a  ser- 
mon in  which  I  told  them  it  was  the  duty  of  old  and 
young,  of  fathers  and  mothers,  to  come ;  and  in  pro- 
portion to  our  small  numbers  in  the  congregation,  we 
have  a  pretty  good  attendance,  and  great  interest.  I 
feel  my  mind  daily  more  independent  of  systems  and 
commentaries  in  studying  the  word  of  God ;  and  I  joy 
in  my  liberty.  Old  Calvinism,  such  as  Fuller  opposes, 
seems  to  me  to  cloud  the  scriptures  sadly,  and  the  glo- 
ry of  redemption,  and  the  holiness  of  our  faith,  I  mean 
the  real  nature  of  sanctification.  I  am  sure  many  texts 
are  wanted  to  support  ancient  interpretations,  whether 
the  doctrines  be  true  or  false.     So  without  attending 


*  It  is  regretted  that  Bonie  very  interesting  letters  from  Mr  B.  to  Judge 
Tucker  of  Missouri,  on  this  subject,  could  not  be  obtained.  They  would  show 
his  anxiety  to  get  minute  information,  that  he  might  be  regulated  in  his  decision 
as  to  duty  in  this  matter,  and  they  might  have  stimulated  others  in  so  noble  an 
enterprise.  Ed. 


228  MEMOIRS   OF 

much  to  other  things,  my  first  object  is  to  teach  my 
auditors  to  think  what  is  the  scope  of  the  place,  what 
the  doctrine  taught  in  this  very  place.  Our  Lord's 
sermon  on  the  mount  especially,  has  opened  with  much 
grandeur  in  this  view,  considered  as  a  true  exposi- 
tion of  the  moral  law,  of  the  law  of  Moses,  as  much 
upheld  in  the  gospel  as  at  Sinai,  offences  against  which 
the  Redeemer  only  can  remit,  and  which  no  person 
can  willingly  indulge  and  be  saved.  With  all  this,  I 
am  writing  a  course  of  systematic  theology,  which  I 

wish  Mr  could  see,  for  I  think  he  w^ould  Hke 

my  present  opinions,  and  read  them  with  satisfaction. 
But  my  life  seems  all  preparation,  as  if  I  truly  accom- 
plished nothing. 

Your  anti-slavery  efforts  have  their  counterpart  in 
this  country ;  but  our  wisest  philanthropists  are  baf- 
fled in  their  attempts  as  yet  to  benefit  the  blacks  in 
any  considerable  degree.  For  the  most  part  the  plan 
of  colonising  is  pursued. 

Slavery  is  an  evil  and  a  curse  entailed  on  this 
country,  from  which  none  can  tell  how  we  are  to  be 
freed.  The  result  must  soon  be  some  tremendous 
crisis,  for  the  legislatures  of  the  slave  states  are  ren- 
dering more  severe  the  laws  against  the  free  blacks, 
and  preventing  their  slaves  from  becoming  fit  for  free- 
men, and  even  depriving  them  of  religious  instruction. 
I  see  your  West  India  Islands  are  ready  for  insurrec- 
tion on  this  fearful  subject ;  but  all  the  world  looks 
with  admiration  upon  the  consistent,  firm,  benevolent 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  229 

progress  which  your  government  and  pubHc  opinion 
are  making  towards  complete  emancipation." 

New  York,  March  31st,  1827. 
#  *  *  «  'pi^Q  influence  of  our  intercourse 
in  creating  just  views  of  myself,  the  world,  and  I  trust 
of  God  and  eternity,  has  been  most  decided;  and  I 
feel  it  involves  one  of  the  most  momentous  portions 
of  my  moral  responsibility,  and  I  trust  will  add  for 
the  present  to  my  real  usefulness,  if  I  am  ever  made 
useful  in  the  cause  of  the  Redeemer.  *  *  * 
I  feel  myself  growing  terribly  old,  but  know  not 
that  I  am  more  indolent  in  constitution  My  duties 
take  hold  of  me  with  an  iron  hand,  and  so  often 
that  unless  I  move  pretty  briskly,  I  get  no  middle 
ground  to  stand  on.  I  know  not  which  to  wonder  at 
most,  the  happiness  or  criminality  of  the  times  when 
I  could  spend  days  on  trifles.  1  almost  fear  now  to 
plan  to  read  a  classic,  or  even  to  hunt  up  theological 
antiquities;  it  seems  as  if  the  whole  of  a  minister's 
time  ought  to  be  spent  in  the  precise  cure  of  souls. 
Remembering  Mr 's  account  of  Dugald  Stew- 
art's report  of  Principal  Baird's  prayer  in  the  Uni- 
versity Library,  the  consideration  "  that  the  souls  of 
the  men  who  wrote  the  books  that  surround  me  are 
with  God,"  keeps  up  the  moral  conviction  that  in 
theology  itself,  it  is  possible  laboriously  to  trifle  with 
Grotius,  and  die  in  distress,  if  not  an  infidel,  and  with- 
out the  love  of  Christ. 


230  MEMOIRS   OF 

"You  would  be  distressed  if  you  knew  all  I  feel 
about  my  old  sermons ;  they  could  never  have  done 
any  good,  they  were  not  of  the  kind  which  God  blesses 
to  conversion." 

New  York,  May  17th,  1827. 
"  The  remarks  you  make  about  natural  ties  are 
beautiful;  nor  will  you  so  interpret  my  former  ex- 
pressions as  if  I  dissented  from  your  views.     Still  the 
gospel  does  in  a  certain  sense  set  father  against  child, 
and  wife  against  husband.     There  will  be  an  obvious 
diminution  of  interest  in  the  irreligious  toward  the  re- 
ligious ;  I  say  not  of  the  religious  toward  them.      My 
temper  is  vastly  changed  since  you  saw  the  cynical 
expression  of  my  countenance.      I  am  sure  good  is 
never  done  in  that  temper,  and  that  people  cannot 
be  driven  into  good.     We  must  be  kind  and  loving  to 
do  good.     If  I  ever  had  Jierte,  I  think  it  is  much  worn 
away  in  the  toils  and  knowledge  of  the  years  since 
we  parted.     I  estimate  things  better  and  myself  more 
humbly — I  am  sure  contempt  towards  a  drunkard,  or 
a  pig,  is  no  christian  sentiment.     We  are  to  look  at 
every  thing  in  the  world,    all   things   considered  and 
therefore  at  every  ma7i,  eternity  considered.     Do  not 
fear  that  I  shall  now  be  arrogant.      *         *         * 

In  the  month  past  God  has  been  pleased  to  send  a 
special  effusion  of  his  spirit  to  Mr  Skinner's  church; 
they  are  now  enjoying  a  revival  of  religion.  To  the 
first  meeting  of  inquiry,  for  awakened  persons  held  at 


MATTHIAS    I3RUEN.  231 

his  house,  sixty  came.  Wc  truly  live  in  the  latter 
day  of  miracles  of  grace.  A  brother  minister  preach- 
ed for  me  on  sabbath  afternoon,  whose  chm'ch  has 
had  an  addition  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  within  a 
few  months,  and  all  after  such  an  examination  as  you 
could  not  well  understand,  without  hearing.  Minis- 
ters who  see  such  things  believe  strongly  in  the  effi- 
cacy of  prayer,  and  relate  signal  answers  from  God. 
Usually  preceding  such  an  effusion  of  the  Spirit,  the 
church  is  roused  to  the  duty  of  united  and  extraordi- 
nary prayer.  These  three  hundred  and  fifty  were 
convicted  in  a  population  of  two  thousand,  and  such 
was  the  impression  for  a  few  weeks  that  God  was 
there,  that  sinners  were  prayed  for  by  name  as  un- 
converted, and  were  thankful,  instead  of  being  of- 
fended at  being  particularised.  The  most  interesting 
proof  given  me  of  the  novel  state  of  the  church  at 
such  a  time,  is  that  the  minister  told  me  the  people 
seemed  to  feel  that  they  had  but  to  pray,  that  preach- 
ing was  important,  but  inferior  to  prayer ;  and  that  if 
it  had  been  announced  that  Dr  Chalmers  was  to 
preach  in  the  church  on  a  week  day  afternoon,  and 
that  there  was  to  be  a  prayer  meeting  in  the  court- 
house at  the  same  hour,  and  that  it  was  equally  right 
for  the  people  to  go  to  either  place,  they  would  have 
gone  to  the  place  of  prayer,  in  preference.  Oh  my 
dear  sister,  that  my  affections  kept  pace  with  my  in- 
tellect in  this  subject  of  everlasting  interest ;  so  fully, 

so  clearly  do  I  believe  that  this  work  is  of  God.    God 
2  V 


232  MEMOIRS  OF 

is  ready  to  work  any  where,  when  his  people  are 
ready  for  the  reception  of  His  Spirit,  and  if  truly  pre- 
pared, we  need  but  to  ask  to  receive.  True  prayer 
is  always  successful. 

We  have  some  precious  christians  in  our  little 
church.  The  poor  minister  sometimes  thinks  he  may 
yet  be  useful,  but  the  worm  at  the  root  is  the  leanness 
of  my  closet  duties.  There  are  times  when  hours  of 
meditation  here,  seem  not  to  make  one  breath  of  true 
prayer.  Pray  for  me  dear  sister,  that  I  and  this  por- 
tion of  God's  heritage  may  be  watered.  How  little 
time  does  it  take  for  God  to  work !  How  quick,  how 
admirable  the  transformation.  A  decided  change  of 
taste,  of  associates,  of  friends  and  studies  comes  in  a 
day.  Your  account  of  dear  ,  is  delightful ;  ad- 
vise her  not  to  delay  too  long  her  pubHc  profession 
if  you  think  she  is  prepared  for  it.  Young  converts 
learn  when  kept  too  long  back,  to  be  comfortable 
without  the  entire  dedication  God  demands.  She  is 
quite  old  enough.  Though  not  often,  we  sometimes 
admit  them,  when  in  favourable  circumstances,  from 
ten  upwards. 

Our  Maij  anniversaries,  have  been  more  interesting 
than  usual,  less  mere  speech  making,  more  pious 
business  spirit.  Have  you  received  the  first  Report 
of  the  American  Tract  Society  ?  That  and  the  pres- 
ent report  are  precious  examples,  as  few  reports  are, 
of  what  an  institution  of  Christ  ought  to  be.  I  have 
had  a  painful  agency  here  in  endeavouring  with  oth- 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  233 

ers  to  reform  the  Jews'  society,  which  is  in  complete 
confusion." 

New  Haven,  September  1st,  1827. 
My  ever  dear  sister, 

"  The  long  interval  of  my  silence  has  been  near 
being  prolonged  into  eternity ;  and  you  will  bless  God, 
as  I  endeavour  to  do,  that  I  can  once  more  write, 
when  you  know  how  near  to  all  appearance  I  have 
recently,  been,  to  the  gates  of  death.  The  imme- 
diate cause  of  this  illness,  was  my  ascending  the  rail- 
way and  visiting  the  Lehigh  coal  mines,  when  I  took 
cold ;  and  in  descending  with  the  rapidity  at  which 
the  loaded  wagons  run,  at  the  rate  of  twenty  miles 
an  hour  in  some  parts,  all  the  bile  in  my  system  was 
moved.  These  mines,  and  this  rail-way  arc  among 
our  greatest  natural  and  artificial  curiosities, — but 
more  of  them  another  time.  Nothing  could  have 
reconciled  me  to  these  circumstances,  and  given  me 
a  tolerable  answer  to  the  question  "  What  dost  thou 
here  ? "  but  the  fact  that  Mary's  health  required  the 
journey. 

For  years  I  have  been  very  bilious,  which  has 
much  impeded  my  studies  and  labours ;  and  if  I  had 
been  at  home  it  might  have  been  simple  bilious  fever, 
and  have  carried  me  off.  An  Episcopal  clergyman, 
a  friend  of  mine,  who  has  succeeded  in  gathering  a 
church  very  near  ours,  who  was  one  mile  from  me, 
apparently  in  perfect  health,  came  home  to  die  sud- 
denly of  this  disorder,  while  I  was  carried  through 


234  MEMOIRS   OP  F         "  -  i 

other  dangers  and  brought  hither  safely.  While  at 
Cherryville,  seventy  or  eighty  miles  west  from  Phila- 
delphia, I  was  seized  with  a  very  severe  attack  of 
pleurisy,  accompanied  with  bilious  fever,  such  as 
made  my  case  doubtful  for  some  days.  I  fell  into  the 
hands  of  a  quack  doctor,  eminent  in  his  line,  being 
out  of  the  range  of  my  knowledge  of  persons,  and 
sending  for  the  nearest  physician,  and  was  only  in- 
strumentally  delivered  from  death  by  the  intervention 
of  a  better  one.  You  may  conceive  the  situation  of 
my  dear  Mary,  at  such  a  distance  from  every  friend 
save  one.  When  my  disorder  was  running  fast  to  its 
worst,  a  kind  providence  sent  to  the  Inn  where  I  was 
taken  ill,  a  gentleman  and  his  wife  from  Easton,  a  town 
on  the  Delaware,  twenty  miles  from  us ;  who  being 
in  the  next  room  to  me  during  the  worst  night  that 
I  passed,  inquired  after  me  in  the  morning.  When 
Mary,  overcome  with  their  tokens  of  sympathy,  said 
that  I  was  exceedingly  ill,  and  that  we  had  no  con- 
fidence in  the  physician,  they  proposed  to  send  one  of 
eminence  from  Easton,  to  which  we  gladly  acceded. 
He  arrived  late  in  that  day,  changed  the  whole  course 
of  my  treatment,  and  unquestionably  saved  my  life. 
I  had  had  a  very  severe  attack  of  pleurisy  in  1812, 
which  left  me  strongly  inclined  to  consumption  for  the 
four  years  I  studied  with  Dr  Mason,  and  from  which 
I  never  recovered  until  I  went  to  Europe.  This 
attack  had  something  different  in  its  form,  but  I  knew 
it  is  a  disorder,  that  soon  finds  or  makes  an  end. — 


MATTHIAS   BRUEY.  235 

I  knew  myself  to  be  very  ill,  but  did  not  at  any 
moment  think  that  I  was  yet  to  die.  I  felt  how 
exceedingly  this  chastisement  was  deserved,  and 
could  almost  rejoice  in  it,  in  the  hope  that  it  would 
benefit  my  soul  and  my  ministry.  For  the  first  time 
in  my  life,  I  was  patient  and  submissive,  which  I 
took  as  an  omen  for  good,  and  thanked  God  for.  But 
I  have  exceedingly  failed  to  realize  in  my  getting 
well,  the  good  I  expected,  so  much  does  sin  dwell 
in  me. 

Concerning  my  medical  treatment,  I  conceive  I 
owe  my  life,  after  bleeding,  to  two  usually  accounted 
incongruous  articles,  calomel  and  cold  water,  of  which 
last,  in  the  height  of  my  fever,  and  notwithstanding 
the  calomel,  Dr  Swift  allowed  me  to  drink  freely. 
Some  of  our  physicians  are  adopting  a  sensible  theory, 
that  whatever  a  patient  intensely  desires  in  dangerous 
sickness,  is  likely  to  be  a  remedy  which  nature  instinc- 
tively points  out.  There  is  nothing  fever  points  to 
more  ardently  than  cold  nater.        «=         *         * 

You  see  I  am  writing  much  about  the  carcase,  so  I 
will  only  add,  that  I  hope  now  to  be  bodily  better  than 
for  a  long  time,  and  am  to  preach  the  next  sabbath, 
once  in  my  own  pulpit  in  New  York,  and  afterwards 
hope  to  resume  my  ordinary  labours,  which  however, 
cannot  be  over  abundant  before  I  get  free  from  all  re- 
mains of  pain  in  the  side.  As  to  the  soul,  the  thought 
of  how  much  I  needed  such  a  trial  was  the  prevaihng 
one.   Beyond  my  own  situation  and  character  in  God's 


236  MEMOIRS  OP 

sight,  the  reflection  of  Christ's  having  chosen  to  ren- 
der himself  capable  of  sickness  next  most  affected  me. 
We  suffer  when  we  must.  He  chose  to  suffer,  and 
made  himself  an  offering  for  sin.  Oh  for  this  love ! — 
The  son  of  God,  the  son  of  man,  thus  showing  what 
sin  deserves,  ought  to  control  all  hearts.  A  further 
rather  imaginative  reflection  often  passed  through  my 
mind.  Here  for  six  thousand  years,  God  carries  on  a 
world  in  which  sickness  abundantly  reigns.  Does  he 
not  thus  show  to  the  holy  angels,  who  only  can  know 
of  sin  as  a  metaphysical  idea,  what  is  its  evil,  since 
they  see  matter  thus  the  means  of  torturing  the  soul 
that  has  sinned,  for  they  could  not  understand  the  af- 
fliction of  a  mental  character  which  sin  produces,  ha- 
ving never  experienced  the  gnawings  of  conscience. 

You  would  be  pleased  could  you  see  the  testimonies 
of  deep  and  earnest  christian  love  which  my  danger 
has  drawn  forth  from  my  little  flock ;  and  certainly  my 
heart  ought  to  be  warmer  towards  all  the  world,  since 
so  much  undeserved  kindness  is  heaped  upon  me. — 
Many  true  prayers  are  offered  that  our  vineyard  may 
be  blessed  of  Him  who  giveth  the  increase." 

New  York,  September  30th,  1827. 
"  This  year  has  been  unparalleled  in  the  history  of 
our  church  for  revivals  of  religion ;  I  mean  the  eccle- 
siastical year  from  May  to  May.  Our  hopes  are  ar- 
dent that  this  work  may  extend  to  the  cities.  It  has 
hitherto,  for  the  most  part,  been  confined  to  villages, 
with  the  exception  of  Boston :  but  we  trust  the  Lord  is 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  237 

preparing  his  way  here.  Many  pray  for  it.  Upon 
this  subject,  I  suppose  it  is  difficult  to  have  accurate 
ideas,  unless  one  were  present  at  such  a  work  of  God. 
For  that  it  is  a  work  of  God  seems  manifest  from  the 
single  argument  that  the  church  is  very  often  so  visit- 
ed when  no  extraordinary  means  are  used  by  the 
minister;  and  when  every  external  cause  apparently 
remains  as  it  existed  for  months  or  years,  and  yet  tens 
and  twenties  suddenly  inquire  what  they  must  do  to 
be  saved.  In  our  httle  community  we  are  without 
this  token  of  God's  mercy  which  we  pray  for ;  but  not 
in  such  a  temper  of  heart  as  makes  us  fit  recipients 
of  the  grace.  These  revivals  furnish  ministers  for 
our  churches,  missionaries  for  our  Home  and  Foreign 
operations,  and  keep  alive  a  flame  of  piety,  which  was 
rare  fifty  years  ago. 

I  have  just  seen  Mr  King,  who  has  returned  from 
Palestine.  He  is  full  of  interesting  anecdote,  and  will 
add  much  inspiration  to  the  general  zeal  for  foreign 
missions.  Indeed  our  efforts  (I  speak  of  America) 
have  been  wonderfully  blest.  I  think  you  will  agree 
with  me  in  judging  Mr  King  better  fitted  than  any 
missionary  for  the  field  which  he  has  explored.  I 
know  not  whether  it  will  be  right  to  retain  at  home, 
a  man  thus  qualified ;  and  yet  he  will  here  give  an 
impulse  to  every  thing,  and  may  be  the  head  of  an 
important  missionary  college,  to  prepare  our  own 
countrymen  to  go  abroad,  and  also  to  receive  in- 
struction, and  send  back  again  Greeks  and  Jews  to 
the  land  of  Paul  and  Peter." 


238  MEMOIRS    OF 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

"  I  have  omitted  to  say  long  since,  how  much  your 
curious  bit  of  information  about  Clarkson's  discover- 
ing a  slave  ship  in  Liverpool,  interested  me.  On  the 
last  fourth  of  July  slavery  ceased  in  the  state  of  New 
York.  My  feelings  have  grown  up  to  the  size  of 
yours  upon  this  subject,  and  if  we  were  now  to  talk 
about  it,  you  would  not  find  me  so  careless  as  .want 
of  reflection  and  the  habit  of  seeing  it  made  me  when 
we  were  together.  It  is  an  evil  of  unparalleled  enor- 
mity. Your  efforts  in  England  are  doing  good.  But 
you  are  not  all  good,  not  all  unanimous.  I  see  the 
Glasgow  Courier  sometimes,  which  has  the  hardi- 
hood to  espouse  and  defend  the  cause  of  slavery ;  and 
in  a  very  late  paper,  traces  Mr  Canning's  death, 
among  other  causes,  to  the  thousands  of  useless  pages 
that  have  gone  to  the  West  Indies  from  the  colonial 
department  upon  that  subject.        *        *        # 

You  have,  I  believe,  more  than  once  found  fault 
with  my  ideas  of  heaven,  which  are  too  abstracted 
and  indefinite  for  you.  You  humanize  a  little  too 
much  that  whole  subject  for  me.     God  grant  that  we 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  239 

may  both  know  which  is  riglit.     The  idea  of  seeing 
God,  and  of  being  with  Christ  is  so  absorbing,  and 
with  our  earthly  attachments  so  much  of  sin  is  min- 
gled, and  such  recollections,  that  in  the  want  of  some 
very  distinct  declaration  in  scripture,  that  we  are  fully 
to  renew  an  acquaintance  there,  I  have  rather  yielded 
the  whole  subject  as  one  to  be  investigated  only  by  ex- 
periment.    I  am  not  sure  but  this  is  quite  wrong,  and 
that  more  may  be  revealed  at  least  by  fair  inference 
than  I  suppose,  and  the  condition  of  another  world 
less  unlike  the  present,  than  most  think.     Our  soul 
offers  a  distinct  image  of  God's  being.     Earth  may 
be  as  near  an  image  of  heaven.     But  how  near  are 
we  to  the  experience  of  the  reality,  or  the  experience 
of  the  loss.     Abstractedness  from  the  world  has  al- 
ways appeared  to  me  to  be  one  chief  preparative  for 
heaven,  and  the  disquisition  about  how  much  of  our 
friends  we  shall  know  there,  to  savour  much  of  linger- 
ing earthliness.     However  I  do  not  judge  that  we 
shall  love  our  earthly  friends  less  in  proportion  to  our 
spirituality  of  mind,  but  more;  and  so  long  as  we  have 
identity  we  shall  have  memory,  and  if  we  know  Abra- 
ham and  Isaac  and  Jacob  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven, 
we   may   know    our   brothers  and   sisters  also.       I 
can  see  the  practical  use  of  such  distinct  impressions 
as  you  carry.     If  we  held  all  our  associations  in  this 
world  under  the  continual  feeling  that  they  were  form- 
ing our  associations  for  the  next,  christians  would 
rapidly  fit  each  other  and  themselves  for  the  highest 
seats.  2  G 


240  MEMOIRS  OP 

Since  our  removal  into  this  neighbourhood,  the  scene 
of  the  first  year  of  our  marriage,  we  have  been  deep- 
ly reminded  of  our  first  born,  wdth  the  thought  of 
whom  the  heavenly  state  is  naturally  connected.  We 
are  nov\^  where  we  ought  to  prepare  for  heaven,  for 
we  have  almost  all  the  earthly  facilities  for  usefulness, 
and  all  that  make  up  a  terrible  amount  of  responsibili- 
ty. *  *  *  Now  only  a  filled,  instead  of  a 
half  filled  church  is  required,  and  a  minister  eminent- 
ly,  zealously,  laboriously  useful.  I  feel  as  if  just  get- 
ing  ready  to  work.  Alas  that  I  should  be  so  long  in 
putting  on  the  harness.  Ah!  what  will  be  the  account 
when  it  is  put  off. 

I  have  been  a  good  deal  occupied  here  in  the  plan 
of  a  French  Protestant  Church  in  New  Orleans.  The 
Rev  M.  De  Fernex,  who  brought  letters  from  Mark 
Wilks  and  young  M.  Monod,  being  disappointed  of  a 
settlement  here,  went  to  New  Orleans  last  winter,  has 
collected  quite  a  numerous  congregation,  and  they 
are  now  about  erecting  an  edfice  for  pubhc  worship, 
for  which  our  aid  is  asked.  Indeed  we  equal  or  ex- 
ceed London  and  Edinburgh,  in  the  frequency  and 
magnitude  of  these  apphcations.  A  young  man  went 
to  England  and  Scotland  a  year  and  a  half  ago,  beg- 
ing  for  money  to  build  a  mariner's  church  in  New  Or- 
leans. The  result  of  which  was  that  he  saw  Chalmers 
and  Robert  Hall,  and  had  his  expenses  paid  out  of  his 
collections,  and  returned.  I  wish  there  were  a  law 
against  permitting  such  vagrancies — But  this  is  a  most 


MATTHIAS    I3RUE1V.  241 

deserving  applicant,  and  not  certainly  to  you  but  to  us. 
The  state  of  Louisiana  contains  70,000  inhabitants,  one 
half  French,  and  not  one  French  protestant  church. 
Your  imagination  can  scarcely  stretch  to  the  reality, 
of  the  imporlance  of  our  home  missions  of  which  my 
reports  have  explained  to  you  the  method.  That 
society  has  grown  wonderfully  since  I  last  wrote  about 
it,  being  now  the  American  Home  Missionary  So- 
ciety. My  successor  in  the  office  of  secretary,  the 
Rev  Mr  Peters  was  most  happily  selected." 

Were  it  not  that  the  following  extract  conveys 
one  of  the  truest  })icturcs  of  Mr  Brucn's  affectionate 
sympathy,  and  gives  some  hues  to  the  cliaracter 
which  none  other  of  his  letters  so  completely  re- 
veals, many  private  feelings  would  have  dictated  its 
suppression. 

New  York,  November  7th,  1827. 

"  Your  letter  of  the  11th  September  has  come  to 
tell  me  of  the  consummation  of  the  26tli  of  August. 
I  did  not  believe  it  so  near.  I  thought  my  dear  ma- 
ternal friend  might  linger  into  the  w^intcr  at  least. — 
Your  letter  has  impressed  the  scene  of  her  dying  very 
powerfully,  upon  me.  I  shall  never  more  in  this  life 
see  her  in  whose  countenance  quietness  and  love 
were  so  singularly  united  with  strong  sense  and 
activity.  Your  dear  mother's  admirable  qualities  I 
have  often  reflected  on,  and  I  am  sure  the  measure 
of  the  bereavement  it  will  take  years  to  tell.  On  all 
this  subject  it  seems  vain  for  me  to  write.     You  know 


242  MEMOIRS   OP 

what  I  would  say.  Death  itself  effects  me  very  much 
as  you  describe  of  yourself,  and  it  may  be  a  bad  state 
of  feeling.  It  is  wrong,  when  God's  coming  so 
near  us  turns  us  into  stone :  when  we  rather  stand 
and  wait  to  see  what  will  be  next  than  intelligently, 
lovingly  rejoice  in  his  government,  his  ways,  and  his 

promises.     My  thoughts  pass  rapidly  from  K to 

M and  again  to  K and  have  been  full  of  your 

self-sacrificing  discreet,  affectionate  mother.  We 
have  more  reason  to  rejoice  than  to  sorrow.  But 
oh,  what  a  change  is  that  which  takes  a  conscious 
being  from  our  society  to  God's — Who  could  bear 
the  thought  of  any  friends'  going  there  but  for  the  be- 
lief that  Jesus  will  make  perfect  the  spirits  of  the 
just.  We,  most  dear  friend,  draw  hard  on  to  that 
world.  Are  we  prepared? — Am  I? — Your  dear 
mother's  late  soul  exercises  are  indeed  very  decided, 
and  show  that  He  who  holds  the  keys  was  preparing 
her  to  enter  safely.  I  wish  I  could  be  with  you 
now,  if  it  were  only  for  a  Uttle  season.  I  do  indeed 
know  where  she  lies, — how  near  the  wall  I  passed 
over  to  see  your  father's  burial  place,  on  that  day 
of  mingled  sunshine  and  snow  which  I  can  never 
forget.  Her  little  keepsakes  here,  shall  always  be 
among  my  rehcs.  But  this  is  vain;  her  most  pre- 
cious relic  is  such  a  death,  and  the  temper  she  shew- 
ed of  patience,  discretion,  and  love  before  it  came. 
I  rejoice  that  you  were  enabled  to  watch  her  to  the 
end.  *  *  #  * 


MATTHIAS   BRURy.  243 

It  is  affecting  that  in  your  last  letter  to  mc 
in  her  life  time,  she  should  have  said  nothing  of 
remembrance.  Truly  she  loved  me  w^ith  a  moth- 
er's kindness.  For  years  I  have  thought  of  her  love 
in  unspeakable  associations.  You  will  my  dear  sister 
find  this  one  tie  to  life  now  broken,  to  have  had  a 
force  which  only  its  rupture  could  disclose.  "We 
can  have  but  one  mother,"  yet,  if  more  troubles 
await  you,  you  will  be  happier  to  meet  them  alone. 
My  heart  thanks  you  over  and  over  again  for  all  that 
you  tell  me,  and  longs  for  every  thing  more  which 
you  can  write." 

The  multitude  of  Mr  Bruen's  avocations,  and  the 
mass  of  writing  which  he  was  obliged  to  accompHsh, 
did  not  prevent  him  from  writing  a  very  long  narra- 
tive of  the  death-bed  experience  of  the  Rev  Dr  Pay- 
son,  of  Portland,  which  was  printed  in  one  Scottish, 
and  one  English  Magazine.  As  a  life  of  Dr  P.  has 
since  been  published,  we  only  extract  the  faithful  sen- 
tences with  which  he  concludes  the  account. 

"  Thus  you  have  what  will  convey  strong  emotion 
to  your  heart,  and  edify  and  comfort  you,  I  rejoice  to 
believe  dear  sister.  As  it  corrects  and  reproves,  may 
it  quicken  and  bless  you.  Oh  what  an  example  in 
life,  in  death,  as  a  minister,  and  as  a  saint !  How 
can  this  world  continue  to  look  so  big  to  us,  in  the 
view  of  such  death-scenes,  and  God  seem  distant  when 
he  is  so  nigh?" 


S44  MEMOIRS  OF 

<*Last  Sabbath  was  the  anniversary  of  my  ordina- 
tion at  Homerton,  nine  years  past.  Ministerial  Hfe 
most  unprofitable — I  seem  just  entering  upon  duty, 
and  so  we  are  often  beginning  till  we  die.  Truly  I 
deserve  to  be  instantly  removed  from  the  vineyard 
as  barren.  May  I  now  at  last  become  faithful,  re- 
ceiving mercy  of  the  Lord.  I  leave  you  in  his  hands 
who  is  I  hope  always  near  you  now  in  your  experi- 
ence. Your  loving  sister  and  friend,  my  dear  wife, 
joins  in  deep  sympathy  and  kindest  wishes." 

New  York,  Dec.  31st,  1827. 
"The  last  day  of  the  year  happens  most  oppor- 
tunely for  my  writing,  to  be  on  a  Monday,  the  day 
in  which  I  endeavour  to  think  myself,  in  a  certain 
measure,  free  from  the  close  bonds  of  pastoral  duty, 
which  so  often  cross  the  path  of  friendship  and  taste. 
The  last  of  the  year!  are  we  to  live  to  the  anniversary 
in  1828  of  our  most  intimate  acquaintance.  Eleven 
eventful  years!  how  soon  past!  The  death  of  your 
mother  marks  this  year  for  you.  My  dangerous 
illness  is  its  most  solemn  monition  for  me  directly, 
although  also  many  and  near  deaths  tell  me  the  time 
is  short.  I  think  I  feel  this  daily  more,  and  hope  J 
am  more  willing  than  I  have  ever  been,  to  spend  my 
speck  of  time  before  eternity,  any  where,  where  I  can 
be  most  useful.  I  have  now  in  this  spot  all  that  heart 
can  wish.  A  domicile  entirely  to  my  mind,  dear 
neighbours  and  friends,  a  young  church  just  sprouting, 


MATTHIAS  BRUEN.  245 

a  growing  influence  in  the  church  and  in  the  city. 
And  yet  I  am  not  sure  that  all  these  ought  not  soon 
to  be  left  by  me,  to  go  to  our  westernmost  settlements, 
to  raise  up  there  the  Lord's  standard.  Some  two  or 
three  years  may  open  this  path  to  Illinois.  I  think 
my  wife,  as  well  as  myself,  would  feel  the  sacrifice  as 
much  as  any  body,  and  could  make  it.  If  it  were 
determined  on,  and  we  make  up  a  colony  here,  it  will 
be  of  first  rate  men,  who  will  go  in  a  band  and  in- 
fluence millions,  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  helping  towards 
pure  religion.  The  age  is  inexpressibly  animating, 
and  I  think  our  States  will  feel  its  full  power.  Since 
the  five  and  twenty  thousand  pounds  which  were  sub- 
scribed in  one  night  here  for  foreign  missions,  the 
whole  country  is  inspirited,  and  rivals  our  exertions. 
All  that  was  done,  chiefly  in  consequence  of  Jonas 
King's  statement  of  the  wants  of  Palestine,  and  for 
the  purpose  of  sending  missionaries  thither.  Our 
hearts  bled  often  for  Greece.  There  was  prayer 
made  for  the  people  on  the  tombs  of  the  seven 
churches  of  Asia,  and  behold!  five  days  after,  the 
great  battle  of  Navarino,  for  which  we  "  thank  God 
and  take  courage."  Surely  no  execution  of  any 
murderers  was  ever  such  a  comfort  to  Jiumanity 
as  that  exterminating  battle.  I  felt  it  from  the 
crown  of  my  head  to  the  sole  of  my  foot.  We 
are  all  exhilarated  and  the  very  rulers  of  Wash- 
ington, who  have  kept  our  fleet  floating  in  the 
Mediterranean,  which    mi^^jht    have    done   all    this 


246  MEMOIRS  OP 

years  ago,  can't  help  rejoicing.  No  war  would  have 
been  so  popular  last  year,  indeed  for  three  years 
past.  As  it  is  we  all  say,  well  we  will  send  mission- 
aries there,  and  it  may  be  the  purpose  of  God  to  keep 
us  out  of  the  scene  of  blood,  andwhy  should  we  desire  to 
be  God's  peace  officers  or  executioners,  if  we  may  be 
his  preachers?  It  may  be  that  this  people  have  been 
kept  from  the  bloodshed  of  Europe,  to  be  his  minis- 
ters for  good  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.  Still,  if  we 
had  your  admiral  Codrington  here  in  our  park,  I 
should  not  trust  myself  for  not  shouting  huzza  with 
our  thousands.  However,  I  would  rather  sing  hymns 
to  God.  I  want  to  shake  you  up,  dear  sister,  and  ask 
you  if  you  know  it  is  the  grandest  civil  event  of  the 
century.  We  may  live  to  see  the  false  prophet  cast  into 
the  lake  of  fire,  and^the  Euphrates  dried  up  and  the  way 
of  the  kings  of  the  East  prepared.  Mr.  King  tells  me 
it  is  about  the  1242d,  year  of  the  Mahometan  Hegira, 
and  that  it  seems  pretty  apparent  that  the  beast  and 
the  false  prophet  are  to  exist  1260  years,  as  the  years 
of  the  Musselmans  are  human.  Something  more  than 
twenty  years  more  must  be  calculated  for  the  dura- 
tion of  that  empire ;  but  I  hope  it  is  to  be  much  sooner 
exterminated.  I  do  not  belong  to  Edward  Irving's 
prophet's  Society,  but  I  believe  in  the  divine  inspira- 
tion of  the  Revelation,  and  that  we  touch  upon  its 
last  age. 

How  Canning  would  have  triumphed  had  he  lived 
to  see  this  day!     Poor  man!  what  is  all  this  to  him  in 


MATTHIAS  BRUEX.  347 

eternity,  an  eternity  he  was  probably  unprepared  for. 
I  have  listened  to  Mr  G — 's  conversation  concerning 
him  with  deep  interest.  He  says  no  event  out  of  the 
circle  of  his  own  relationship  ever  struck  him  more 
than  Mr  Canning's  death.  Fourteen  days  before,  Mr 
G —  spent  six  hours  with  him,  two  before  dinner, 
all  in  talking  about  political  affairs,  and  much  of  Mr 
Canning's  own  situation  amid  conflicting  parties. 
Mr  G —  told  him  he  could  never  live  amid  so  much 
business.  To  be  secretary  for  foreign  affairs  in  fact. 
First  lord  of  the  treasury  in  fact  and  name,  and  not 
only  prime  minister  but  sole  minister.  Mr  Canning 
explained  that  lord  Dudley  only  took  the  place  of 
secretary  for  foreign  affairs  to  oblige  him,  and  pro 
tempore.  But  that  he  had  been  induced  to  come  out 
of  that  office,  with  all  the  details  of  which  he  was  ac- 
quainted, and  to  take  the  treasury,  by  having  received 
a  letter  from  an  ancient  friend  of  Mr  Fox,  who  told 
him  that  Mr  Fox  always  regretted  he  had  not  taken 
that,  as  there  lies  the  patronage.  And,  said  Mr  Can- 
ning, although  I  might  have  put  a  friend  there,  it  is 
very  different  my  asking  a  favour,  or  a  favour  being 
asked  of  me;  and  I  am  determined,  said  he,  moving 
his  hand  with  a  most  emphatic  gesture  of  ambition, 
to  hold  the  reins  while  I  live.  He  lived  fourteen 
days! — He  told  Mr  G —  he  had  not  been  free  from 
great  pain  since  the  Duke  of  York's  funeral,  when 
they  kept  him  in  the  cold  damp  vault  two  hours— nor 


248  MEMOIRS  or 

slept  a  whole  night  since  Lord  Liverpool's  illness. 
Such  is  worldly  honour,  and  the  best  thing  the 
world's  possession  does  for  us !" 


MATTHIAS  BRUEN  249 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

New  York,  March  15th,  1828. 

*  *  *  *  "You  are  right.  It  must  be  a'consider- 
able  element  in  the  happiness  or  misery  of  the  future 
state,  that  we  shall  know  of  our  good  or  ill  use  of  our 
acquaintance  here.  Two  sinners  together  forgiven, 
washed,  sanctified  and  justified,  may,  more  perfectly 
than  all  others,  understand  the  height  and  depth  of 
the  mercy  they  experience. 

I  confirm  your  view,  that  ministers  are  the  measure 
of  the  church's  growth  in  piety.  We  have  here  some 
examples  of  excellence,  I  think  unrivalled. 

News  of  Dr  Kennedy's*  death  had  not  reached  me. 
None  but  God  can  repair  the  loss.  My  interest  in 
Greece  grows  daily.  We  are  endeavouring  to  send 
a  few  ship  loads  of  provisions  and  clothing,  and  I  am 
to  preach  a  sermon  and  have  a  collection  for  this  ob- 
ject next  Sabbath  evening.  I  was  told  that  more  than 


*  A  Scots  physician,  who  was  intelligently  and  actively  useful  in  the  Ionian 
Islands.  The  same  whose  conversations  on  religion  with  Lord  Byron,  have  been 
published  by  his  widow. 


250  MEMOIRS  OF 

a  thousand  pounds  sterling  worth  of  goods  was  col- 
lected in  one  street  of  the  city  among  the  merchants 
for  this,  the  other  day.  Dr  How  who  has  returned 
from  the  distribution  of  our  cargo,  by  his  reports, 
creates  the  sympathy  which  an  eye  witness  only 
can  cause.  Their  sufferings  are  indescribable,  and 
if  the  devil  has  ever  been  incarnate  it  is  in  a  Turk, — 
however  renegade  Americans,  Englishmen  or  Aus- 
trians  may  say  the  Greeks  are  as  bad  as  the  Turks. 
Shame  to  the  Christian  tongue  *hat  will  repeat  it. 
The  Reports  of  our  missionaries  thence  have  great 
weight,  and  since  Congress  will  do  nothing,  without 
meddling  in  the  warfare,  I  think  we  shall  help  a 
multitude  of  the  women  and  children,  driven  out  to 
live  under  the  olive  trees,  with  their  noses  cut  off. 
Greece  is  to  be  free,  in  spite  of  "  the  ancient  ally"  of 
her  tyrant,  as  your  king  of  England  styled  Turkey  in 
his  speech  to  parHament  received  to-day.  The  fact  is, 
there  is  an  esprit  de  corps  among  kings  which  incHnes 
them  to  support  each  other,  whether  they  agree  or 
differ  in  policy  or  religion.  When  God  made  a  govern- 
ment it  was  a  republic,  and  it  was  to  break  his  statutes 
to  ask  a  king.  I  am  sure  we  have  the  system  which  can 
stand  up  to  the  mellenium ;  and  I  doubt  whether  another 
will.  This  whole  country  would  have  gone  to  war  with 
acclamations,  for  Greece,  if  a  few  had  not  stood  out 
against  it,  and  I  know  not  whether  to  be  sorry  or  glad, 
but  I  hope  we  shall  act  with  true  charity,  and  that  the 
American  press  at  Malta,  and  American  missionaries 


MATTHIAS  BRUEN.  251 

will  add  spiritual  charity.  Jonas  King  told  me  that 
in  towns  where  I  had  heard  that  he  would  be  as- 
sassinated by  the  Priests  if  he  opened  his  mouth,  he 
preached  fearlessly,  and  w^as  heard  kindly,  because  he 
was  an  American.  "Ah  you  come  from  a  free 
country,"  would  they  say,  "  yours  is  a  republic,"  and 
think  the  better  of  a  man's  religion  who  had  breathed 

our  air.     says,  many  of  our  merchants,  traders, 

and  your  consul  at  Smyrna,  hate  the  Greeks,  for  the 
most  selfish  reasons,  and  it  is  part  of  their  special 
business  to  calumniate  them  by  the  foulest  slanders. 
If  the  Greeks  are  bad,  who  made  them  so?  and  who 
is  better,  a  Turk  with  the  Koran  who  lives  up  to  it,  or 
a  Greek  with  the  New  Testament  which  hourly  re- 
proves his  lies?  May  a  merciful  God  cut  short  their 
miseries!" 

New  York,  March  31st,  1828. 
"  You  did  right  to  print  what  I  wrote  about  Dr 
Payson,  and  in  revenge,  I  have  just  copied  for  the 
press,  what  you  say  about  it  and  Dr  Waugh.  The 
first  time  I  have  dared,  what  I  have  often  desired  to 
do,  given  many  hearts  the  benefit  of  what  has  spoken 
to  my  own.  Good,  dear  Dr  Waugh  is  gone  to  see  God. 
He  prayed  over  my  head  at  my  ordination  as  if  in- 
spired; and  how  little  have  I  answered  those  prayers 
and  ardent  hopes,  with  correspondent  exertions,  to 
make  it  consistent  in   our  holy  gracious   Lord   to 


252  MEMOIRS  OF 

answer  them  with  abundant  blessings!     But  my  life 
is  one  scene  of  failures. 

The  Illinois  plan  does  not  meet  the  commendation 
of  those  best  acquainted  with  the  wants  to  be  supplied. 
A  correspondence  with  one  of  the  first  men  in  Mis- 
souri, a  statesman  and  a  lawyer,  as  well  as  a  Christian, 
describes  such  a  scheme  as  mine  altogether  in  advance 
of  the  country.  *  *  *  You  need  not,  therefore, 
fear  that  I  shall  take  the  first  wind  that  blows  from 
you,  to  blow  me  further  west.  Some  great  and  use- 
ful things  might  be  and  must  be  done.  *  *  My  review 
entitled  Unitarianism  at  Geneva,  is  useful.  I  shall  send 
it  to  you,  with  one  just  finished  of  Douglas  of  Cavers' 
book,  on  the  Advancement  of  Society.  *  *  *  Was 
there  ever  any  thing  better  and  more  like  the  friend- 
ship of  this  world,  than  Hunt's  dissection  of  Byron?  a 
base,  and  useful  office;  I  got  some  excellent  hints 
from  it." 

New  York,  April  14th,  1828. 
My  dear  sister, 

"  The  day  of  the  month  draws  on,  the  anniversary 
of  our  parting.  The  fleeting  years  when  we  were  to- 
gether seem  sometimes  like  a  century  and  sometimes 
like  a  day.  We  only  know  the  past  and  the  present;  may 
we  be  sufficiently  grateful  for  the  privilege  of  commit- 
ting the  future  to  our  Almighty  Friend,  and  Father,  and 
Redeemer.  How  do  earthly  attachments  sink  in  the 
view  of  Him!   How  ought  He  to  be  all  in  all,  and  all 


MATTHIAS  RRUEN.  253 

attachments  used  to  promote  our  deeper  interest  in 
His  glory.  Oh!  that  the  consideration  of  all  things, 
even  of  my  sins  also,  could  be  swallowed  up  in  that 
bright  view  which  the  gospel  gives  of  the  Redeemer, 
mighty  to  save.  Every  time  we  think  upon  it,  we 
must  see  the  more  weight  in  the  reflection,  that  the 
name  the  saints  appropriate  for  God,  is  God  all-suffi- 
cient. God  himself  is  all  and  in  all.  On  the  contrary, 
how  apt  are  we  to  look  at  God  only  in  His  immediate 
tangible  benefits,  in  the  gift  of  some  friend,  in  some 
present  fortune,  in  health  or  w^orldly  deliverance,  or 
in  forgiving  our  sins,  but  rise  not  to  Himself  with 
adoring  love.  *  *  *  Your  comment  on  Dr  Pay- 
son's  death  is  true.  We  do  shut  out  ourselves  from 
the  joys  he  experienced." 

After  a  heartfelt  description  of  a  member  of  his 
church,  which  delicacy  forbids  us  to  insert,  Mr  Bruen 
continues : — 

"Would  that  I  could  tell  you  of  an  hundred  such. 
I  believe  my  letters  have  not  enough  entered  into 
such  particulars.  My  ministry  is  comparatively  Httle 
blest  in  the  conversion  of  sinners,  but  I  humbly  hope 
some  of  our  christians  grow.  One  lesson,  at  least, 
they  all  learn  daily,  that  if  they  do  not,  it  is  their  own 
fault  and  sin ;  that  the  Lord's  hand  is  not  shortened, 
nor  His  ear  heavy.  The  obligation  to  grow,  the  dan- 
ger of  relapse,  the  dubiousness  of  that  piety  which  is 
not  progressive,  I  often  insist  upon,  and  think  I  can 
see  that  those  who  formerly  would  lay  it  to  Satan,  or 


254  MEMOIRS  OF 

selfishly  grieve  that  they  were  not  better,  now /eel  sin 
lying  at  their  own  door." 

New  York,  September  25th,  1828. 
"  I  thought  when  I  reached  my  first  manhood,  that 
a  great  change  had  overtaken  me,  that  days  seemed 
not  long,  and  that  there  seemed  scarcely  more  hours 
in  a  week  than  before  in  a  monday,  when  Saturday 
was  the  only  holiday.  But  now  what  a  change! 
What  are  months  and  years — yes,  years  of  which  at 
most  seventy,  work  the  die  that  moulds  our  eternity. 
The  years  since  we  have  seen  each  other,  how  long; 
how  short;  how  crowded  with  incident;  how  barren 
of  that  immense  change  which  our  Christian  as- 
pirations have  longed  for!  Summer  and  winter, 
seed  time  and  harvest,  Tweedside  and  the  Manse; 
— how  altered  and  how  the  same.  I  sometimes 
revisit  my  old  haunts  on  the  banks  of  the  Hud- 
son— how  the  same  are  they,  how  changed  am  I.  It 
may  interest  you,  my  dear  friend,  to  know  that  the 
haunts  of  my  childhood  I  have  never  yet  revisited 
since  I  saw  you;  at  first  a  little  from  accident  perhaps, 
but  since  from  comprehending  what  your  memorable 
letter  about  Roxburgh  expresses — the  pain  of  seeing 
the  changed  place.  I  desired  not  to  dissipate  the 
clear  images  of  the  past,  or  to  lose  the  sense  of 
locaUty  which  the  sight  of  these  scenes  now  altered 
might  affect.  Every  thing  changes  here  rapidly. 
Wooden  houses  decay  quickly,  occupants  remove, 


MATTHIAS  DKlJEy.  255 

forests  arc  cleared  away,  new  roads  opened,  brooks 
dried  up,  ponds  drained.  Indeed  all  but  the  butterflies 
and  the  birds  half  domesticated,  seem  in  the  way  of  a 
rapid  improvement,  inexpressibly  annoying  to  the  sen- 
timent that  would  feed  on  recollections.   The  very  peo- 
ple are  made  better.  The  ministers  cannot  walk  about 
with  a  long  idle  cane  and  wig,  and  control  a  parish 
as  trees  drive  away  crows  by  shaking  their  heads. 
They  must  utter  sense  energetically,  and  have  Sun- 
day Schools,  and  scatter  tracts,  and  be  content  to 
have  less  influence  than  other  people,   unless  they 
procure  a  good  deal  more  by  being  very  useful.  And 
then  the  old  meeting  house  is  painted  up,  and  a  new 
one  built  within  a  mile  or  two,  which  has  drawn  oflf 
half  the  old  faces  whom  death  has  spared,  and  each 
is  filled  with  new  comers  from  some  distant  towns,  or 
with  youths  who  dream  not  of  you,  while  those  who 
might,  are  off  to  the  new  settlements,  perhaps  twelve 
hundred   miles    away,    planting    corn   beyond    the 
Ohio.     In  short — for  I  had  no  intention  to  drive  on 
in  this  style  when  I  began,  this  race  of  everlasting 
improvement  is  killing  fine  sentiment.     We  are  not 
in   the    case   that   Sir   Walter   Scott  triumphed   in, 
the  fine   morning  your  dear  husband  made  me   so 
h^ppy  by  conducting   mc  to  Abbotsford,  when  he 
crowed  over  the  bleak  hills  and  light  streams  about 
Melrose,  that  there  w^is  not  enough  to  invite  any  cot- 
ton spinner  or  canal-monger,  to  invade  the  domains 
of  Thomas  of  Ercildounc. 

2  I 


256  MEMOIRS  OF 

The  moral  of  it  all  is,  dear  sister,  that  we  have 
much  to  do  here,  great  facilities  for  doing  it,  and  that 
Providence  has  so  ordered  it  that  even  letter  Meriting 
to  you  is  an  employment  which  must  be  confined 
within  such  limits,  as  that  it  prove  not  a  detriment  to 
indispensable  duties.  Yet  if  one  does  not  intend  to 
prove  recreant  to  the  best  emotions  of  the  heart,  and 
to  let  the  heart  be  altogether  unfit  to  live,  it  is  an  in- 
dispensable duty,  as  well  as  a  pleasure,  and  so  I  only 
censure  myself  for  not  writing  enough  to  you.  *  *  * 
What  a  death-bed  is  that  of  the  wicked!  What  a 
different  aspect  does  the  very  corpse  assume  to  our 
eyes !  How  descriptive  is  the  process  of  returning  to 
the  dust,  of  the  moral  condition  of  the  soul!  How 
like  are  the  sins  it  has  rioted  in  to  the  corruptions 
which  now  seize  iti  "Deliver  me,  O  Lord,  from  the 
men  of  the  world,  which  have  their  portion  in  this 
world,  and  whose  belly  thou  fillest  with  thy  hid  trea- 
sure. I  shall  be  satisfied  when  I  awake  in  thy  like- 
ness." 

So  you  find  time  to  read  over  again  all  my  letters. 
All  of  me.  For  it  is  legible  and  extant  nowhere  but 
in  your  portfolio,  and  in  the  records  of  the  condemning 
book  of  the  great  Judge, 

The  extract  you   send  me  from   's  letter   is 

delightful,  and  shows  a  great  advance  in  piety; 
these  storms  have  rooted  them  in  the  best  things. 
How  true,  that  it  is  sin,  chosen  bosom  sin,  which 
makes   a    penitent!      "It    is    our   errors    and    our 


MATTHIAS  BRUEN.  257 

sins  which  work  our  humiliation."  When  we  suffer 
for  doing  right,  wc  may  be  Hftcd  up.  God  sees  our 
secret  sins  in  the  hght  of  his  countenance,  and  then 
wc  cry  out  for  mercy  and  pardon." 

New  York,  November  7th,  1828. 
"  I  have  been  at  a  missionary  meeting  at  North- 
ampton, Mass.,  which  was  a  very  interesting  occasion. 
I  went  as  the  representative  of  the  Home  Miss.  Soc. 
All  our  missionary  affairs  advance  with  a  manifest 
blessing,  and  already  we  seem  destined  to  do  much  to 
evangelize  the  world.  At  Northampton  I  visited 
Brainerd's  grave,  with  more  sensible  emotion  than  I 
remember  ever  to  have  experienced  any  where,  I 
believe,  among  monuments;*  and  at  the  meeting, 
could  not  refrain  from  showing  the  obligations  of 
Northampton,  which  contained  such  a  monument,  to 
forward  the  missionary  cause,  and  whence  such  a 
book  as  Brainerd's  life  had  gone  forth,  which  instru- 
mentally  had  sent  Henry  Martyn  by  Hindostan  to 
Persia,  and  been  fire  from  the  altar  to  every  mission- 
ary since.  Mr  Temple,  one  of  our  missionaries  from 
Malta,  also  addressed  the  meeting.  These  anniver- 
saries seem  to  me  to  correspond  with  the  great 
Jewish  festivals,  when  the  people  came  together  to 

•  Those  who  recollect  what  \L'  Bruen  printed  in  his  volume  of 
Essays  on  visiting  a  protestant  country  cemetery  in  Ital}',  and  also 
that  of  Pcre  la  Chaise  at  Paris,  will  believe  that  his  emotion  was  not 
small. 


•258  MEMOIRS  OF 

praise  the  Lord  tor  his  mercies  and  for  his  wonders 
in  Zion. 

The  American  board  of  commissioners  for  foreign 
missions  held  their  annual  meeting  in  Philadelphia. 
The  sermon  by  Dr  Rice  of  Virginia,  and  the  address- 
es at  the  subsequent  public  meeting  were  eloquent. 
Dr  Beecher  made  one  of  his  best  speeches.  He 
said,  "We  often  hear  repeated  what  the  missionaries 
of  the  last  thirty  years  have  done.  Now,  I  shall  not 
go  over  the  history  of  the  last  thirty  years,  but  I  shall 
take  another  method.  Suppose  all  that  has  been  done 
to  be  blotted  out — suppose  one  messenger  of  calamity, 
as  in  the  case  of  Job,  to  follow  another,  entering  this 
church.  The  first  tells  us  that  the  Serampore  mis- 
sion is  destroyed,  its  missionaries  dispersed,  its  trans- 
lations burned,  its  converts  apostatized,"  &c.  &c. 
Then  he  went  to  Taheite.  "  Suppose  we  were  sud- 
denly to  learn  that  those  Islands  were  in  the  situation 
in  which  Cook  found  them,  that  the  DufF  had  spread 
her  canvass  filled  with  the  breath  of  prayer  in  vain," 
&c.  &c.,  and  in  brief,  so  he  made  with  splendid  elo- 
quence his  survey  of  the  world — supposing  the  Lon- 
don Miss.  Soc,  the  Church  Miss.  Soc,  the  B.  and  F. 
Bible  Soc,  the  American  B.  Soc,  &c  &c  &c  all 
gone  down,  and  that  in  the  midst  of  this  catastrophe 
a  white-robed  seraph  should  descend  from  the  skies 
with  plumage  folded  and  dropping  large  tears,  to  say 
that  there  has  been  a  new  apostacy  in  heaven,  and 
that  all  whom  the  spirit  of  missions  had  carried  up 


MATTHIAS   niU'EN.  259 

thilhcr  in  the  last  thirty  years,  have  joined  the  lost 
army;  that  Africaner  has  returned  to  his  Hotten- 
tot crall,  that  Catharine  Brown,  leaving  her  broken 
harp  in  heaven,  has  taken  up  the  Cherokee  war-song 
— Would  all  this  be  nothing? — The  enemies  of  mis- 
sions say  so. 

Throughout  there  was  tlie  oddest  kind  of  subhmity 
and  power  I  ever  felt.  Knowing  that  it  was  all  a 
phantom,  yet  comprehending  it  to  be  a  conceivable 
evil,  it  had  the  effect  of  inclining  you  often  to  smile 
cither  at  the  incongruity,  or  at  the  argument  and 
triumph  of  the  statement;  or  else  to  feel  the  highest 
emotions  of  gratitude  and  praise  to  God  at  the  review 
of  his  glorious  providences  fyr  his  churches  in  the 
thirty  years  we  have  seen.  If  this  speech  is  printed 
I  shall  try  to  get  it  to  your  hands;  however,  its  spoken 
effect  must  ever  inexpressibly  excel  what  follows  the 
reading. 

After  this  of  spoken  efforts,  I  must  tell  you  of  one 
silent  appeal,  when  I  was  at  New  Haven.  Mr  Ash- 
mun  died  there,  the  agent  for  the  Colonization  So- 
ciety on  the  coast  of  Africa,  who  had  come  home  to 
die.  Just  as  the  funeral  sermon  was  beginning,  his 
mother,  who  had  not  seen  him  for  twelve  years,  and 
who  had  hastened  from  the  state  of  Vermont  to  be- 
hold his  death  bed,  entered  the  church.  She  desired 
earnestly  to  see  the  remains,  and  even  after  the  pro- 
cession moved  to  the  burial  ground  the  counsel  of  the 
physicians  was  asked.  When  it  was  deemed  improper, 


260  MEMOIRS  OF 

she  stretched  out  her  hand  and  touched  the  [coffin 
with  a  natural  gesture  of  uncontrolable  modest  grief, 
never  to  be  effaced  from  the  memory. — I  have  be- 
come as  much  a  friend  of  Africa,  and  as  much  a 
hater  of  slavery  as  yourself. 

To  conclude  this  hurried  notice  of  my  travels,  I 
hav«  just  returned  from  synod,  seventy  miles  up  the 
Hudson  river.  On  my  way  I  took  a  pedestrian  tour 
of  some  twenty  miles  into  the  mountains  in  as  poor 
and  miserable  a  region  as  I  ever  saw. — Slept  at  the 
log  house  of  one  of  our  missionaries,  composed  of 
one  room,  which  served  for  kitchen,  parlour  and 
strangers  bed  room,  while  the  good  man,  his  wife 
and  three  children,  slept  under  the  rafters  in  a  little 
grain  garret  over  our  heads.  Thus  God  orders  dif- 
ferently the  lot  of  men.  How  happy  they  who  stand 
in  a  lot  like  Daniel's  in  the  last  day!  Here  the  peo- 
ple are  employed  working  in  iron  ore  and  charcoal 
for  furnaces,  and  are  wretchedly  poor  and  ignorant. 

New  York,  December  6th,  1828. 
*  *  *  *  As  to  my  own  affairs,  I  have  been  entirely 
well  all  the  year;  have  the  great  joy  of  seeing  a  little 
outward  growth  in  this  little  church,  and  at  last, 
things  seem  here  as  if  after  the  ship  had  been  long 
built  and  ready  to  launch,  it  was  started.  Our  best 
members  begin  to  think  our  darkest  days  over.  *  *  * 
It  is  the  mystery  of  folly  that  people  who  have  so 
much  of  the  world,  and  who  do  not  get  to  give  away,. 


MATTHIAS  nnuEPr.  2GI 

can  never  have  enough,  nor  have  time  enough  to  use 
what  they  have.  This  also  is  vanity.  After  all  due 
precautions  to  be  honest  to  my  successors,  one  thin<T 
I  cannot  but  believe  I  shall  always  do,  use  what  I 
have  now,  and  give  forth  Christo  ct  Ecclesia?. 

New  York,  December  31st,  1828^ 
My  dear  sister. 

The  kindly  providences  from  the  midst  of  which  I 
last  wrote  have  been  continued.  A  life  has  been- 
preserved  and  a  life  given.  *  *  *  We  are  favoured 
in  every  respect,  have  all  and  abound.  The  feelings 
with  which  I  greeted  the  first  born  can  never  come 
back.  But  we  can  love  this  daughter  enough.  If  / 
she  is  to  bear  your  name,  you  must  assume  part  ot  ' 
the  duty  of  praying  for  her  in  this  eventful  existence. 

The  packet  of  to-morrow,  is  the  first  packet  of  the 
year.  We  are  to  heap  years  upon  years  in  eternity, 
but  of  our  little  span  here,  we  rapidly  fill  up  our  mea- 
sure. This  year  has  been  eventful  to  your  dear 
friends,  and  I  wait  to  know  the  providences  with 
which  it  is  to  close  at  Kelso.  Again  and  again  I  re- 
flect on  the  circumstances  you  relate,  and  feel  as  if 
they  must  have  shortened  by  ten  years  your  days. 

In  no  small  measure  by  my  own  fault  certainly,  I 
begin  to  feel  less  acquainted  with  your  state,  and  less 
famihar  with  all  your  circumstances,  than  the  omens 
•of  a  year  ago  rendered  probable.  A  long  absence 
from  the  homes  of  those  wc  love  has  the  distressing 


2G2  MEMOIRS   OF 

cllcct  of  wearing  down  many  of  the  remembrances 
of  place,  while  other  objects  are  incessantly  before 
us.  And  while  I  will  not  attribute  to  mere  infrequen- 
cy  of  writing,  the  want  of  what  nothing  but  use 
could  furnish,  I  should  long  to  see  you,  if  for  no  other 
reason,^  to  get  a  new  starting  place  in  this  world  of 
change.  No  imagination  can  now  show  you  to  me, 
so  that  I  can  be  tolerably  sure  that  I  know  you  just 
as  you  are.  Your  heart,  and  all  that  is  immortal,  I 
can  never  cease  to  know,  but  I  want  much  to  know 
a  thousand  things  beside,  that  you  live  among,  and 
that  affect  you. 

You  will  be  glad  to  know  that  this  church,  so  slow 
in  taking  root  and  starting,  has  grown  perceptibly 
within  a  month.  It  is  so  obvious  as  to  be  subject  of 
gratulation  to  all  engaged  here.  We  have  had  some 
additions  to  the  church  members,  and  I  hope  are 
growing  in  grace.  They  are  liberal  in  the  least 
thing,  that  is  money.  More  than  700  dollars  for 
foreign  missions  this  year,  and  as  much  for  home 
missions,  besides  all  other  things,  in  so  small  a  church 
as  ours  is  great  liberality.  My  preaching  from  week 
to  week  seems  to  take  more  hold,  and  I  encourage 
myself  with  the  hope  that  there  will  be  a  harvest, 
when  all  at  once  I  shall  see  some  fruit  of  my  labours. 
We  know  not,  and  ought  to  be  satisfied  that  the 
Lord  knows,  when  and  how  his  message  is  to  take 
root. 

We  have  been  very  busy  here  in  the  attempt  to 


MATTHIAS    BRUEX.  2G3 

Stop  Sunday  Mails  and  the  opening  of  Post  Offi- 
ces. Last  summer,  as  you  know,  a  large  association 
was  formed,  who  pledged  themselves  not  to  travel  in 
stages  or  steamboats,  which  violate  the  Sabbath, 
where  they  had  a  choice.  As  a  result  of  this,  a  new 
line  of  Sabbath-keeping  stages,  was  got  up  from  Al- 
bany to  Niagara,  at  an  expense  of  $75,000,  solely  to 
strike  a  blow  through  the  country,  and  to  prove  that 
the  religious  part  of  the  community  were  determined 
on  this  measure.  The  old  proprietors  had  previously 
refused  all  overtures  when  invited  to  do  right,  and 
now  the  uproar  and  hubbub  were  almost  unparallel- 
ed. Through  a  populous  region  four  hundred  miles 
in  length,  nothing  else  was  talked  of.  The  supporters 
and  oppositionists  of  this  line,  divided  the  whole  land; 
and  at  least  this  good  was  done  that  the  question  for 
or  against  Sabbath  sanctity  was  argued  at  every  fire- 
side, and  in  every  stage  and  steamboat.  The  feel- 
ings of  the  wicked  amounted  to  rage,  for  it  touched 
what  they  know,  the  value  of  money,  and  it  showed  for 
once,  that  christians  were  walling  to  spend  some 
money  to  forward  holiness  in  the  land.  This  new 
line  of  coaches  too,  was  the  best.  No  coachman 
who  should  take  even  one  glass  of  spirits,  or  utter 
even  one  oath,  was  engaged.  In  short,  it  was  a  com- 
plete reformation  line,  and  did  not  land  its  passen- 
gers every  six  miles  into  a  bar-room.  The  din  of 
this  business  would  astonish  you.  In  any  other  coun- 
try under  the  sun,  I  believe  it  had  been  laughed 
2k 


264  MEMOIRS   OF 

down;  but  here  it  took  strong  hold;  how  long  it  will 
run  well  is  doubtful.  The  proprietors  have  been  to 
Washington  to  contract  for  carrying  the  mails  six 
days,  and  petitions  have  been  forwarded  from  all 
parts  of  the  country,  that  government  will  allow  the 
Lord's  day  to  be  a  day  of  rest  to  all;  but  I  doubt  if 
there  be  Christian  principle  enough  in  this  communi- 
ty to  have  have  this  point  carried.  There  are  some 
men  in  Congress  who  will  give  the  question  a  thorough 
argument,  and  who  can  tell  what  advantage  it  is, 
even  to  have  an  argument  in  such  a  cause?" 

The  "  acceleration  of  the  mail"  has  become  for  the 
time  one  of  the  fevers  of  Great  Britain,  so  that  tran- 
quil people,  whose  pursuits  are  neither  political  nor 
mercantile,  look  on  the  endless  newspaper  para- 
graphs on  the  subject,  with  a  degree  of  breathless 
uneasiness.  Those  who  feel  themselves  to  be  pil- 
grims and  strangers  in  this  world,  cannot  but  wonder 
what  every  one  is  driving  at  in  such  pellmell  haste. 
When  we  reach  the  end  of  life,  it  will  affect  us  little 
that  we  had  such  and  such  intelhgence  an  hour  and 
a  half  sooner,  by  means  of  the  "  acceleration  of  the 
mail."  It  is  obvious  that  were  the  day  of  rest,  which 
is  observed  in  the  government  offices,  extended  to  all 
the  cities  and  towns  of  the  land,  all  would  be  on  an 
equal  footing  in  respect  of  commercial  affairs,  and 
political  intelligence.  How  becoming  would  it  be, 
in  those  who  reverence  the  Divine  commands  in 
England,  to    take  the  hint  from  their  American 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  265 

brethren,  and  exert  themselves  to  let  the  jaded  men 
and  horses  of  the  mails  rest,  and  thus  to  shut  out  the 
prevalent  and  unthought-of  sin,  of  receiving  and  an- 
swering business  letters  on  the  Lord's  day,  and  ren- 
dering it  a  day  of  worldly  transactions,  only  chang- 
ing the  scene  from  the  counting  room  to  the  parlour. 
How  wisely  did  Lord  Bacon  say  with  his  usual  force, 
that  "this  incessant  and  Sabbathless  pursuit  of  a 
man's  fortune  leaveth  not  that  tribute  which  we  owe 
to  God  of  our  time;  who  we  see  demandeth  a  tenth 
of  our  substance,  and  a  seventh,  which  is  more  strict, 
of  our  time;  and  it  is  to  small  purpose  to  have  an 
erected  face  towards  Heaven,  and  a  perpetual  gro- 
velling spirit  upon  earth,  eating  dust  as  doth  the  ser- 
pent.* 


266  MEMOIRS   OF 


CHAPTER    XIX. 


New  York,  January  23d,  1829. 
My  ever  dearly  loved  sister, 

"Years  are  heaped  upon  the  months  we  lived  to- 
gether. The  scale  of  suffering  and  of  trial  has  pre- 
ponderated sadly  with  you;  1829  has  come,  to  con- 
tinue or  to  conclude  changes  which  the  last  year 
began  or  carried  forward.  I  have  just  now  found 
out  what  St.  John  means  by  *'the  pride  of  life,"  which 
he  classes  with  the  other  two  things  which  make  up 
that  world  which  is  not  of  the  Father.  It  is  not 
pride  in  the  usual  sense,  for  that  is  embraced  under 
the  lust  of  the  eye,  but  the  pride  of  life,  boasting  of 
to-morrow — explained  by  James  where  he  says  all 
such  boastings  are  vain.  How  much  have  we  to 
disabuse  us  of  vain  confidence  in  continued  life. — 
The  sudden  deaths  hereabout  have  been  very  nu- 
merous, and  I  have  reached  such  a  period  that 
each  newspaper  almost  brings  me  note  of  the  death 
of  an  acquaintance.  Surely  to  be  proud  of  life,  Oj- 
boastful  in  the  hope  that  it  will  continue,  is  vain.  *  *  * 
We  have  had  two  or  three  cases,  unusual  every 


MATTHIAS  imuE\.  267 

where  I  believe,  of  persons  of  middle  age  or  after, 
becoming  quite  serious,  perhaps  converted." — The 
concluding  sentence,  detached  as  it  is  from  w^hat 
introduced  it,  may  appear  to  some  too  insigni- 
ficant for  insertion,  yet  it  contains  one  of  the  most 
momentous  and  melancholy  truths,  with  which  the 
church  militant  is  acquainted;  a  truth  nevertheless 
so  familiar  that  it  does  not  affect  us  as  it  ought.  How 
sad  is  it  to  think  that  when  a  minister  offers  the 
blessed  gospel  to  his  flock,  he  hardly  hopes  that  those 
who  are  nearest  to  death  and  judgment  maybe  those 
who  will  receive  his  message?  and  when  one  of  them 
does  receive  it,  the  church  stands  amazed  at  theoin- 
usual  event.  Such  is  the  deceitfulness  of  sin,  such 
the  dangerous  habit  of  the  mind,  when  persons  feel 
as  if  they  had  passed  the  age  for  learning,  and  might 
settle  down  in  the  notions  they  have  adopted — such 
the  hardening  effect  of  worldly  dealings,  and  worldly- 
sentiments,  that  the  heart  seems  to  have  become  in- 
accessible, and  the  church  scarcely  can  behevc  when 
it  hears  that  the  word  has  been  powerful  enough  to 
reach  a  soul  in  such  a  case!  How  affecting  is  it  to 
observe  the  calculations  of  the  Temperance  Societies, 
which  calmly  estimate  the  few  years  that  must  pass 
before  the  present  race  of  drunkards  shall  die  out,  and 
their  places  be  occupied  by  the  abstinent!  Is  there 
then  no  hope  for  the  sinners  who  live?  Are  chris- 
tians, those  who  know  the  solemn  and  dreadful  re- 
sults of  impenitence,  to  fold  their  hands  quietly,  and 


S68  MEMOIRS   OF 

have  their  exertions  paralysed  by  the  idea  that  the 
repentance  of  those  advanced  in  life  is  unusual,  and 
therefore  not  to  be  striven  after?  Surely  if  the 
churches  were  aroused  to  make  the  salvation  of  the 
aged  more  their  care;  if  they  were  awakened  to  ask 
of  Him,  with  whom  is  the  residue  of  the  Spirit,  the 
aged  would  become  subject  of  hope  like  the  young, 
and  we  should  have  many  saved  even  at  the  eleventh 
hour. 

New  York,  January  80,  1829. 

*  *  *  "May your  heavier  trials  be  far  away!  I 
ha^e  been  studying  the  doctrine  of  trial  in  the  New 
Testament  lately,  and  seeing  how  fully  this  world 
ought  to  be  a  place  of  self-denial;  and  I  wonder  how 
any  of  us  are  to  get  to  heaven  with  so  many  comforts. 
The  Lord  will  provide.  Provide  us  with  a  fit  state 
of  heart,  as  well  as  a  fit  place,  in  his  own  time.  If 
we  contemplate  death  aright,  all  our  worldly  affec- 
tions will  be  held  within  the  rule  of  our  supreme  love 
to  God.  Mr  Patton  met  his  sorrows  with  composure, 
and  even  comfort.  *  *  *  Did  I  mention  to  you 
how  Mr  Duncan  heard  at  his  door,  of  the  death  of  a 
fine  child  of  seven  years?* 

This  matter  of  children's  dying  is  needful  for 
parents,  and  I  suppose  is  the  only  thing  that  can  put 

*Rev.  Messrs  Patton  and  Duncan  had  been  travelling  in  Europe 
to  recover  health.  The  first  lost  two  dear  children  during  his  ab- 
sence i  the  last,  one  on  his  return. 


MATTHIAS    BRUEX.  269 

our  minds  into  a  cerlain  state.  Never  again  since 
the  death  of  our  first  Mary  can  we  be  as  we  were. 
The  brightness  and  zest  of  the  w^orld  is  fairly  de- 
parted. My  peace  partook  of  full  youth  and  joy 
with  her,  no  place  now,  with  one  or  both  our  chil- 
dren, has  any  thing  approaching  to  that  zest  of  fife. 

Our  petitions  against  the  mail  travelling  on  Sunday 
have  roused  the  enemy,  who  bellows  that  there  is  a 
great  conspiracy  abroad  to  league  church  and  state. 
This  is  the  bugbear  most  popular  in  this  country.  A 
large  portion  of  the  Baptists  take  part  against  it. 
Many  of  the  Episcopalians,  and  the  Methodists  also, 
are  either  careless  or  opposed.  The  sin  of  the  at- 
tempt falls  upon  the  poor  Presbyterians,  against  whom 
it  lies  more  plausibly.  We  shall  probably  gain  so 
much  that  the  mails  will  not  be  opened  on  the  Lord's 
day,  though  w^e  may  not  stop  their  transportation. 
With  the  Presbyterians  here  you  must  understand  me 
to  join  the  Congrcgationalists,  answ^ering  to  your  In- 
dependents, for  that  is  the  prevailing  rule  of  Church 
Government  in  New  England.  Presbyterianism  pre- 
vails in  New  York  and  all  the  States  south  of  us. 

We  are  having  some  changes  just  now,  very  aus- 
picious for  the  interest  of  the  revival  of  religion; 
for  you  will  understand  a  large  part  of  our  churches 
are  destitute  of  that  peculiar  spirit.  Dr  MacAuley, 
one  of  our  best  men  is  about  to  go  to  Philadelphia, 
an  event  which  will  have  great  influence  on  the  city 
and  on  the  General  Assembly. 


270  MEMOIRS   OP 

New  York,  June  16th,  1829. 
My  dearest  sister, 

The  indescribable  interest  of  your  late   writing 

about has  an  instant  transcript  from  your 

heart  to  mine.  What  hath  God  wrought?  How 
have  you  been  borne  through  such  seas  of  feeling 
and  so  much  toil?  I  have  studied  your  narrative 
with  a  breathless  hope  of  reaching  the  assurance  of 
his  true  conversion.  He  is  still  in  slippery  places. 
Besides  general  prayer,  has  he  a  heart  opened  to 
pray  for  the  Holy  Spirit?  Does  he  comprehend  that 
his  present  convictions  and  all  good  desires  are  by 
the  gift  of  that  Spirit,  whom  he  may  grieve  and  drive 
away?  A  man  deserted  of  what  he  loves  best  may 
pray  to  God,  and  see  the  grace  of  the  gospel;  while 
after  all,  the  child  of  God  alone,  is  born  of  the  Spirit 
I  long  to  hear,  nor  have  I  ever  seen  a  case  more 
critical,  and  few  which  to  human  eyes  seem  more 
important.  His  true  conversion  might  be  hoped  to 
work  the  salvation  of  hundreds.  Can  he  not  be 
made  to  feel,  that  not  his  children's  souls  only,  but 
the  souls  of  hundreds  may  depend  on  his  turning 
heartily,  wholly  to  the  Lord.  The  great  point  to 
press  is  the  duty  of  immediate  conversion, — not  lin- 
gering, not  waiting;  God  saith  "to  day."  There  are 
barriers  like  mountains  against  his   conversion.     I 

should  think would  be  indefinitely  provoking 

and  opposing,  the  more  because  full  of  zeal,  kindness 


MATTHIAS    RRUE\.  271 

and  sympathy.  He  is  the  very  personification  of  all 
that  in  the  spirit  of  the  age  opposes  the  gospel.  He 
is  the  mirror  of  the  age  in  this  respect,  as  Brougham 
is  the  mirror  as  to  Popular  Education  and  other  im- 
portant objects.  Not  that  they  make,  so  much  as 
they  take  the  image,  feel  the  impelling  tide  and  swim 
their  bark  first  in  the  stream;  see  what  the  w^orld 
asks,  and  produce  it,  and  are  the  creation  of  the  will 
of  the  people,  and  so  they  become  kings.  But,  if  the 
world  and  the  gospel  be  in  opposition,  the  true  gospel 

has  not  a  more  refined,  set,  subtle  foe  than 

I  doubt  not  he  w^ould  honestly  be  astonished  and  dis- 
pleased with  such  a  charge ;  and  that  his  conscience 
does  not  charge  him  thus ;  but  the  King's  Levee  is 
not  more  opposed  to  a  prayer  meeting  than  all  the 
influence  he  circulates  is,  to  the  religion  of  the  New 

Testament.     I  earnestly  hope  his  letter  to is 

preserved ;  it  must  be  a  curiosity  of  the  strangest 
kind,  especially  if,  as  I  suppose,  he  fairly  thought  him 
under  conviction  of  sin,  and  in  process  of  what  we 
call  conversion.  He  knows  so  much  that  he  would 
wTite  wittingly;  and  so  little  that  it  would  be  the 
foolishness  of  man  against  the  wisdom  of  God. 
Here  is  an  opportunity  to  scrutinize  an  inside  sec- 
tion of  human  life,  dificrent  altogether  from  what  is 
often  reached,  and  which  will  be  of  equal  interest 
with  all  that  Mrs  Kennedy  can  reveal  of  Lord 
Byron. 

2  L 


272  MEMOIRS  OF 

What  has  your  Erskinc  (of  the  Evidences)  got  in 
his  last  work  on  the  Freeness  of  the  Gospel?     Some 
strange  theory,  partial  views,  imperfect  theology, 
leading  to  dangerous  lenity,  in  leading  forward  the 
souls  of  men,  if  concerned  about  religion.     Surely 
to  say  that  God  has  actually  forgiven  every  body, 
and  that  we  only  need  believe  so  to  be  sure  of  sal- 
vation, is  not  the  way  to  break  the  stubbornness  of 
the  natural  heart,  and  cannot  bring  sinners  as  totally 
lost,  and  actually  and  at  present  objects  of  God's  dis- 
pleasure, to  feel  that  if  they  enter  not  now,  they  may 
never  enter  hereafter.     Instead  of  making  conver- 
sion a  moral  transaction  between  two  beings,  each 
of  whom  has  a  will,  a  choice,  unfettered  except  by 
the  conditions  God  proposes;  this  leaves  it  for  the 
selfishness  of  man  to  baiter,  and  the  wickedness  of 
man  to  wait,  under  only  the  general  contingency  of 
life  remaining,  assured  of  salvation  so  long  as  he  has 
opportunity  to   take  salvation,  really  suspended,,  it 
would  seem,  upon  his  choice  alone.     This  is  surely  a 
very  different  thing  from  praying  to  God,  "  Create 
in  me  a  clean  heart,  renew  in  me  a  right  spirit,"  and 
a  very  different  thing  from  being  indebted  to  God 
for  a  new  heart,  "I  will  take  away  the  heart  of 
stone,"  &c.     To  reduce  men  to  the  state  of  utter 
misery  and  lay  them  at  God's  mercy,  they  must  feel 
that  such  is  their  character,  that  they  hate  God  so 
much,  that  if  He  do  not  turn  their  hearts  to  His  love, 
and  are  so  blind  to  His  perfections,  that  if  He  who 


MATTHIAS    BKtJEN.  273 

shined  with  the  light  into  darkness  du  not  sliinc  into 
iheir  minds,  they  will  always  be  unconverted  and 
blind.  Hence  every  ray  of  light,  every  thought  of 
good,  every  inclination  to  receive  Christ,  and  to 
walk  in  Him,  is  felt  to  come  from  the  Father  of  lights^ 
because  the  carnal  mind  is  known  to  be  at  enmity 
with  God,  and  if  the  man  comes  to  be  in  Christ,  he 
knows  himself  a  new  creature,  old  things  pass  away, 
all  things  become  new.  His  religion  is  not  a  pro- 
cess of  giving  up  one  thing  for  a  better,  something 
temporal  for  something  eternal,  something  illusive  for 
something  satisfying,  (although  this  is  always  essen- 
tially in  religion)  but  it  is  hating  sin,  regarding  our 
previous  evil  state  with  abhorrence,  whatever  is  the 
consequence,  whether  we  be  saved  or  not.  It  is 
submission  to  God,  unreserved  indeed,  and  yet  sub- 
nvission  to  a  God  who  has  proposed  mercy  to  us,  eter- 
nal salvation,  his  gift  which  is  eternal  life,  but  all  as 
suspended  on  \he  conditions  of  repentance  and  faith. 
I  know  some  theologians  more  bound  to  words  and 
theory  than  to  facts,  dislike  this  phrase,  conditions  of 
the  gospel,  and  plead  for  the  gospel's  unconditional 
frceness.  But  what  language  can  bear  a  more  ex- 
press condition  than  this,  "  Except  ye  repent,  ye  shall 
all  likewise  perish,"  "He  that  believeth  not  shall  be 
condemned'?"  When  a  sinner  feels  that  his  heart  is 
so  carnally  minded,  so  averse  from  God  that  it  will 
not  repent,  even  under  all  the  motives  which  the 
cross  of  Christ  presents,  unless  God  break  his  heart 


274  MEMOIRS    OF 

by  his  spirit;  and  so  blind  and  base  that  it  will  not 
believe,  unless  God,  who  commanded  the  light  to 
shine  out  of  darkness,  shine  into  his  soul,  then  he  feels 
himself  the  more  at  God's  mercy  as  the  terms  of  sal- 
vation have  been  made  more  low,  reasonable  and 
kind,  and  he  views  his  desperate  state  of  rebellion 
and  hatred  of  God  with  self-abhorrence,  and  submits 
himself  totally  to  the  righteousness  of  God.     God 
gives  him  peace  of  conscience.     The  love  of  Christ 
constrains  him.     He  loves  God,  not  upon  this  general 
theory,  that  to  make  salvation  mine  I  must  believe  it 
mine,  and  I  may  now  love  God  because  He  loves 
me,  which  surely  requires  no  change  of  heart,  but  he 
loves  things  as  they  are  essentially,  all  that  is  in  God, 
all  that  is  in  Christ,  all  that  is  in  the  plan  of  salvation 
he  loves.     And  no  doctrine  of  the  New  Testament 
(not  the   Election  in   the   2d  verse  of   1st   Peter, 
nor  any  thing  else)  will  trouble  him  who  has  unre- 
servedly  submitted  himself  to  the  righteousness  of  God. 
I  have  written  thus  at  large  because  what  is  called 
the  Hervey  and  Ma'shall  (on  sanctification)  scheme, 
speaks  differently,  and  runs  into  Erskine's  views,  and 
seems  to  our  most  experienced  ministers,  experienced 
in  revivals,  to  be  very  injurious  to  the  progress  of 
the  gospel,  to  immediate  conversion,  and  in  many 
instances  to  produce  changes  very  doubtful.     That 
scheme  you  know  is  the  prevalent  one  through  Eng- 
land and  Scotland. 
Have  I  been  intelligible?     In  the  haste  in  which  I 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  275 

Write,  I  fear  not.  Is  there  any  dillerence  between 
us?  Have  I  imparted  any  light  which  I  seem  to  have 
gained  on  this  subject  of  deahng  with  persons  under 
concern  of  mind?  It  is  painful  to  write  when  a  little 
talking  and  a  few  questions  and  answers  would  put 
one  to  the  test  whether  1  have  any  knowledge,  and 
whether  you  arc  in  possession  of  what  I  seem  to 
know.     But  finally,  the  end  of  this  matter  is — advise 

to  read  principally  the  simple  Bible ;  and  if  you 

will  have  thorough  conversion,  let  him  read  President 
Edwards'  sermons,  on  "  Pressing  into  the  king- 
dom," "Ruth's  Resolution,"  "the  Excellency  of 
Christ,"  and  "  Pardon  for  the  Chief  of  Sinners."  They 
have  been  published  separately  with  you;  but  arc 
also  in  the  sixth  volume  of  his  works,  London  edition. 
I  know  nowhere  else  such  thorough  dealing. 

Our  anniversaries  have  been  full  of  interest.  1 
must  give  you  them  in  detail,  or  rather  execute  a 
purpose  1  have  had  for  a  year,  to  unite  at  length  a 
sort  of  revue  philosophique  of  our  age  of  benevolence 
here,  that  you  may  read  it  yourself,  and  then  send  it 
to  "  The  World"*  if  you  will.  I  see  the  world  is 
moved  now  a  days  by  letters. 

Our  greatest  eflbrt  just  now  grows  out  of  a  reso- 
lution of  the  American  Bible  Society,  to  supply  every 
family  in  the  United  States  with  a  Bible  in  two  years, 
with  the  blessing  of  God,  and  the  expected  help  of 

*  A  religious  Newspaper  in  London. 


S76  MEMOIRS  OF 

ten  auxiliaries.  Over  such  an  immense  territory  as 
ours,  the  log  cabins  of  our  new  settlements  so  extend- 
ed and  scattered,  thousands  in  the  new  states  alto- 
gether without  the  leaven  of  the  gospel,  the  attempt 
to  supply  700,000  families  with  the  Bible  in  two 
years,  is  the  biggest  resolution  ever  made  by  a  "  vo- 
luntary association."  I  pray  we  may  accomplish  it. 
We  had  a  meeting  at  the  Masonic  Hall  last  week,  at 
which,  in  default  of  a  better,  I  was  forced  to  be 
one  of  the  speakers:  7,600  dollars  were  subscribed; 
$400,000  must  be  raised  for  this  object  in  the  two 
years.  Besides  the  expense  of  agents  will  be  some- 
thing. Almost  all  our  sects,  and  all  our  religious 
people  are  bestirring  themselves  in  this  great  effort. 
I  wished  to  give  something,  and  I  enrolled  — — * 
amonsr  the  life  members  of  the  American  Bible  So- 
ciety.  The  agent  has  sent  me  his  life  certificate,  and 
wishes  to  know  of  what  state,  city  and  continent  the 
gentleman  is,  that  he  may  send  him  the  annual 
reports.  I  will  leave  it  blank,  but  I  fully  believe 
the  gentleman  will  rise  out  of  obscurity  from  his 
play  ground  on  Tweedside,  in  less  than  twenty 
years,  to  plead  for  the  giving  the  Bible  to  all  flesh, 
and  to  labour  himself  for  the  cause.     God  grant  it! 

*  It  was  the  eldest  son  of  the  compiler. 


MATTHIAS  BRUEN.  277 

New  York,  August  15th,  1829. 

"When  I  think  that  more  frequent  letters  from  me 
would  have  been  a  comfort  to  you,  I  cannot  but  cen- 
sure myself;  and  yet  between  the  labour  and  the 
kssitudc  of  my  post,  it  is  not  strange  that  I  should 
give  way  to  that  selfishness  which  can  feed  long  on 
a  letter  before  a  return  is  made-    *      *      *      *      * 

I  shall  be  strangely  disappointed  if  we  do  not  live 
to  sec  each  other  again  in  this  world.  If  feeling 
be  prophecy,  I  am  almost  sure  we  shall.  I  neglect 
all  letter  writing  till  I  am  ashamed.  Several  pro- 
jects here  absorb  the  minutes  which  remain  of  the 
hours  which  my  ministerial  duties  leave.  For  ex- 
ample, we  have  our  society  for  promoting  the  ob- 
servance of  the  Sabbath,  of  which  I  am  secretary, 
and  other  new  things  besides  our  Home  Missionary 
business;  and  then  we  are  endeavouring  to  do  some- 
thing for  common  schools  in  Greece,  in  which  eflx>rt 
I  hope  and  believe  much  good  will  be  realized. 

And  now  it  is  a  question,  since  I  have  succeeded 
in  putting  so  little  into  these  pages,  whether  I  ought 
to  send  them.  It  may  seem  careless  of  your  love  to 
write  and  send  such  scrawls.  But  I  have  no  health 
and  spirits  to-day,  between  seeing  one  person  taken 
out  of  life,  who  wished  me  to  visit  him,  before  I  arrived, 
and  the  secular  and  spiritual  duties  which  awaited 
my  return.  We  were  very  successful  in  our  Bible  so- 
ciety tour.     Two  towns  pledged  themselves  to  raise 


278  MEMOIRS  OF 

in  a  year  $3,000  that  is  £600,  for  the  great  eflbrt  to 
supply  every  family  in  the  United  States  with  a  Bible, 
it  being  supposed  that  800,000  families  are  destitute, 
and  that  £80,000  will  be  needed.  The  whole  country 
is  to  be  roused  in  this  enterprise. 

The  packet  sails  to-morrow,  which  is  our  commu- 
nion Sabbath.  On  monday  I  am  to  go  to  New 
Haven,  and  afterwards  to  make  a  charge  at  an  or- 
dination of  four  ministers  who  go  to  Illinois  to  found 
a  college,  and  to  preach  the  gospel. 

If  you  could  see  me,  you  would  only  find  me  eleven 
years  older  than  when  I  left  you,  and  stooping  a  little, 
but  in  very  good  health.  Remember  my  most  af- 
fectionate respects  to  your  dear  husband,  and  all 
your  dear  relatives.  Kiss  the  little  ones  among  your 
dear  children  for  me.  I  hope  my  eyes  may  some 
day  be  set  upon  them  all,  and  believe  me,  with  a  love 
that  can  never  change, 

Your  faithful  M.  B. 


MATTHIAS  ERUEN.  279 


CHAPTER    XX. 


New  York,  August  22, 1829. 
My  Dear  Sister. 

"My  heart  settles  with  niuch,  I  might  ahnost  say, 
incessant  anxiety  on  the  most  important  topic  in  your 
last  letter — your  health.  The  surprising  vigour  of  your 
constitution  has  hitherto  given  me  the  hope  that  you 
could  outlive  any  thing,  and  would  at  least  live  long 
enough  for  us  to  meet  once  more,  and  for  the  first 
time,  I  now  fairly  tremble.  Foreboding  connects 
itself  strongly  with  hope  that  I  am  to  see  you  in  some 
of  those  quarters  of  an  hour,  when  to  see  you  and  do 
two  or  three  things,  seems  all  that  remains  to  be  done 
before  dying.  If  I  lived  as  some  people  appear  to  do, 
just  to  please  themselves,  I  should  compass  the 
transportation  of  me  and  mine  to  you  before  mid- 
winter. The  world  moulds  itself  so  variously,  that  I 
have  quite  a  belief  that  with  a  good  conscience  I 
shall  be  led  to  your  continent  before  half  the  number 
of  years  expire,  which  are  passed  since  I  left  you; 

but  that  you  or  I  are  to  live  half  as  many  years,  who 
2m 


280  MEMOIRS  OF 

assures  us?  Tell  me  if  you  can  in  your  next  that 
you  are  decidedly  better.  Among  my  faults  in  the 
past  year  I  clearly  number  the  infrequency  of  my 
letters.  Without  a  conscience  sharply  self-accusa- 
tory, I  feel  how  much  better  it  had  been  to  have  an- 
swered your  reasonable  hopes,  and  instead  of  selfishly 
rejoicing  in  your  letters  to  me,  supplied  you  with 
more  frequent  expressions  of  my  unabated  love. 
Pride  has  ceased  between  us,  with  other  more  youth- 
ful feelings;  we  can  never  feel  wounded  pride  if  either 
write,  or  cease  Avriting,  nor  almost  can  we  feel  wound- 
ed love.  But  that  any  thing  from  me  might  have 
been  an  afternoon  anodyne  to  your  cares,  and  yet 
be  withheld,  is  truly  a  moral  delinquency.  My  cares 
are  not  more  numerous,  if  they  be  of  another  kind, 
than  yours;  my  interruptions  not  so  many;  yet  you 
write  steadfastly  and  at  large. 

I  have  purposely  omitted  giving  you  an  account 
of  one  affair  which  has  employed  me,  having  left  it  to 
my  dear  Mary,  who  desired  to  write  you  a  long  letter 
upon  it,  I  mean,  an  attempt  to  do  something  for  the 
Greeks,  furnishing  schools  and  school  books  and  the 
nucleus  of  a  college.  Before  this  reaches  you,  the 
Rev.  Jonas  King's  journal  will,  I  suppose,  have  been 
republished  in  England.  He  has  made  a  tour  through 
Greece  at  the  expense  of  some  ladies  of  this  city* 
having  gone  out  in  the  Herald,  the  last  ship  with  pro- 
visions, which  we  sent.  Since  it  was  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  Turks  I  imagine  Greece  has  never  been  so 


MATHIAS  BRUEN-.  281 

thoroughly  investigated;  never  surel}^  upon  the  points 
where  we  most  desire  information.  Every  where  he 
finds  an  earnest  wish  for  schools;  for  good  female 
schools  especially,  and  his  journal  which  is  publish- 
ed in  the  religious  newspapers,  weekly  almost,  is  full 
of  interest.  I  know  not  that  I  told  you  that  wc 
formed  a  Greek  school  committee,  had  a  public 
meeting  at  the  Masonic  Ilall,  the  week  of  our  many 
anniversaries,  where  (a  brother  may  say  it  to  a  sister,) 
I  made  the  best  speech  I  ever  uttered,  quite  extem- 
poraneous, and  for  half  an  hour  or  more,  and  better 
than  I  can  ever  speak  again.  There  is  a  w^arm  sym- 
pathy through  the  country.  We  then  expected  to 
have  done  more  by  this  time,  but  are  now  waiting 
for  information  from  the  Mediterranean — waiting 
especially  to  see  how  your  English  government,  with 
the  French  and  the  Russians,  will  tread  down  the 
germ  of  a  republic  there,  and  create  a  monarchy  on 
that  soil; — Oh!  what  shame  upon  the  two  or  three 
men  whom  the  world  calls  England,  for  such  is  the 
mystery  of  this  world,  that  some  two  or  three  govern 
at  least  for  the  time.  This,  however,  will  not  free 
your  beloved  native  land  from  the  shame  of  a  scan- 
dalous attachment  to  their  ancient  ally  the  Turk,  and 
love  for  the  legitimacy  of  slavery. 

Before  the  famous  protocol,  Mr  G —  told  me  that 
lord  Liverpool  three  years  ago  talked  with  him  about 
a  king  for  Greece,  and  proposed  the  ex-king  of 
Sweden.    If  they  have  a  king,  we  must  enlighten 


282  MEMOIRS  OF 

Greece  if  we  can,  and  they  will  be  poor  enough  to 
need  our  money,  since  Ibrahim  Pacha  burnt  up  their 
olive  trees,  if  they  arc  forced  to  pay  an  everlasting 
tribute  to  the  Turk.  Next  to  the  origin  of  evil,  this 
business  of  having  bad  men  govern  is  the  greatest 
mystery  on  earth.  We  have  had  some  twenty  young 
Greeks  or  more,  in  a  course  of  education  here;  some 
have  been,  as  we  hope,  converted,  who  may  be  the 
future  reformers  of  their  country;  I  believe  that 
Greece  is  to  be  the  reformer  of  Asia.  I  never  saw 
a  nobler  scene  of  good  open  to  the  mind,  and  I  need 
only  to  sec  the  door  a  little  more  open,  to  feel  it 
my  duty  to  give  myself  up  to  forming  Sunday 
Schools,  &c.,  even  there,  and  passing  to  and  fro  on 
the  earth  for  this  purpose.  Any  man  who  will  now  dare 
attempt  great  things,  may  succeed,  and  can  draw 
out  untold  resources  for  a  good  cause.  I  see  it 
plainly.  While  congress  is  disputing  whether  they 
will  give  $50,000  to  furnish  out  a  mission  to  Greece, 
I  would  beg  it  here  for  a  college  there,  if  the  country 
is  free  for  its  establishment.  You  will  be  somewhat 
interested  to  know  that  things  have  not  improved 
since  count  Oxenstiern's  time.  Mr  —  quoting  that 
saying  of  his,  "go  my  son  and  see  how  little  sense 
governs  the  world,"  assures  me  that  the  three  great 
allied  powers,  had  no  plan  when  this  war  with  Tur- 
key began;  that  each  of  the  ambassadors,  with  your 
prime  minister  confessed  it  to  him,  that  Capo  d'  Is- 
trias  declared  it  to  be  so,  and  that  while  he,  Mr.  — 


MATTHIAS    CRUEy.  283 

urged   it  upon  each  of  them,  previously  to  resolve 
upon  their  ultimatum,   as  to  what  should   be  done 
with   Greece,  what  should  be  her  boundaries,  what 
the  boundaries   of  the  Porte,  and  w^hat  the  state  of 
the  adjoining  territory,  and  that  then  Austria  should 
not  be  permitted  to  be   neutral,  and   the  Porte  be 
absolutely  threatened  with   the  war   of  all  united,  if 
she  would  not  yield;  that  no  one  of  these  things  was 
done,  no  plan  of  the  future  formed,  that  they  w^ent 
blindly  forward,  and  as  Capo  d'  Istria's  phrase  was, 
he  was  forced  to  commit  himself  to  the  chapter  of 
accidents.     But  I  will  entertain  you  no  longer  Avith 
your  national  enormities,  but  will  turn  to  ours. 

We  have  soon  to  bo  acted  here,  I  fear,  a  most  hor- 
rid tragedy — the  state  of  Georgia  taking  possession  of 
the  lands  of  the  Cherokee  Indians.   These  Indians  have 
become  almost  entirely  civilized,  live  by  agriculture, 
print  a  newspaper^  have  christian  churches,  and  are 
advancing  with  a  most  rapid  improvement.     The  state 
of  Georgia,  wdthin  whose  territorial  Hmits  they  are, 
has  determined  to  permit  no  such  imperium  in  imperio, 
and  calls  upon  the  general  government  to  remove  them 
beyond  the  Mississippi.     The  Cherokees  refuse  to  sell 
out,  and  to  go.     To  force  them  to  sell,  Georgia  ex- 
tends her  own  state  laws  over  the  whole  country,  one 
of  which  is,  that  no  Indian  can  be  witness  in  a  court 
of  justice  against  a  white  man.     Thus  deprived  of  their 
natural  rights,  if  the  general  government   does  not 


284  MEMOIRS   OF 

protect  them,  they  will  be  forced  to  remove,  to  go 
off  among  savage  Indians,  and  live  by  hunting. 
Our  President  General  Jackson,  refuses  them  the 
same  protection  they  have  heretofore  enjoyed  (for  all 
the  blustering  of  Georgia  has  only  rendered  former 
Presidents  and  Congresses,  more  set  in  the  just  cause 
hitherto,)  and  seems  determined  to  yield  the  point. — 
We  are  having  the  nev^^spapers  filled  v^ith  the  discus- 
sion ;  thousands  are  moved  at  the  injustice  to  the  In- 
dians, and  all  New  England  and  the  middle  states  feel 
alike.  The  southern  and  western  have  a  less  deep- 
seated  love  for  justice  and  pity  for  the  Indians,  as  in- 
deed who  can  expect  much  from  a  slave-holding  state. 
The  issue  will  probably  be  during  the  approaching 
Congress,  but  I  have  great  fears  that  our  country  is  to 
bring  on  itself  a  deep  blot,  inferior  only  to  the  continu- 
ance of  slavery.  If  we  drive  the  Indians  into  the  wil- 
derness, because  we  have  made  civilized  and  christian 
people  of  them,  we  must  blush  for  our  country.  Gov- 
ernor Coles  of  Illinois,  who  has  more  than  any  other 
man  prevented  slavery  being  permitted  in  that  state,  by 
the  constitution,  has  just  returned  from  the  Falls  of 
St  Anthony.  He  says  it  is  most  extraordinary,  that 
wherever  there  is  Enghsh  blood,  there  is  cruelty  to  the 
Indians,  that  the  French  sing  and  dance  with  them  and 
cheat  them,  but  do  not  kill  them.  But  there  is  no  end 
to  our  coveting  the  land  of  the  Indians.  One  family 
of  nine  persons  he  found  out  400  miles  and  from  the 


MATTHIAS   BRUEN.  285 

settlements  among  a  tribe  of  1)00  Indians.     These  wan- 
derers had  come  in  among  them  with  their  cattle — 
squatted   on   the   Indian   land,  began   running   their 
ploughs  over  the  Indian  squaws'  patches  of  corn,  and 
over  the  graves,  shooting  the  Indians'  dogs,  as  valuable 
to  them  as  our  horses,  because  the  dogs  barked  at  their 
calves,  which  they  had  never  seen  before ;  and  seem- 
ed determined  to  oust  the  900  by  fair  means  or  foul. 
The  chiefs  met  in  council  with  the  governor,  who  did 
all  that  mere  advice  could  do  to  restrain  their  outra- 
ges, but  the  probability  is  that  the  poor  Indian  will  be 
driven  to  some  act  of  retaliation ;  and  then  we  shall 
have  another  Indian  war  to  the  lauful  murder  of  thou- 
sands of  these  aborigines !     For  the  w^hole  frontier  is 
always  ready  to  run  on  an  Indian  w^ar.     My  heart,  if 
ever  sickened,  is  truly  so  by  all  this  story.     Will  there 
ever  be  a  world  which  the  injustice  of  man  will  not 
pollute  and  devastate.     Surely  if  ever  a  people  had 
land  enough  we  have.    "We  look  up  to  the  supreme 
providence  of  God  amazed  that  such  things  are  per- 
mitted.    Convinced  of  the  depravity  of  man  in  all  cli« 
mates,  seeing  how  few  have  the  love  of  their  neigh- 
bour every  where,  we  cry  out,  "  Oh  Lord  how  long  ?" 

I  intended  this  letter  to  be  a  quiet  recipient  of  my 
thoughts  about  you,  and  instead  of  that  I  have  wan- 
dered from  Greece  to  this  end  of  the  earth.  (Whenev- 
er Mr  King's  letters  reach  you,  pray  get  them  reprint- 


286  MEMOIRS   OF 

ed.)  Every  letter  of  yours  touches  me  always — your 
last  perhaps  especially.  Your  environs  have  perpetu- 
al verdure,  and  you  will  not  beheve  any  thing  else, 
even  from  my  silence. 

God  grant  our  friendship  may  flourish  in  His 
pure  presence.  It  will  be  so  if  we  are  purified  and 
owned  by  our  Saviour.  I  am  coming  to  believe  as 
much  as  you  can  desire  in  the  mutual  recognition  of 
spirits  in  the  separate  state. 

My  beloved  friend,  whom  more  than  all  except  my 
wife,  I  surely  love,  you  must  no  longer  sacrifice  your- 
self to  the  wishes  or  even  the  wants  of  every  body ; 
let  other  people  suffer  as  well  as  you,  and  take  some 
rest  now  yourself.  Believe  me,  you  ought  to  rest. — 
Pray  tell  me  how  is  dear  R  ?    Now  I  hope  he  is  better 

since  his  good  pleading  in  the  Y m  cause.     I  have 

the  impression  strongly,  that  both  J —  and  H —  have 
improved  much  in  spiritual  religion  since  I  was  their 
guest.  Tell  them  I  pray  that  the  near  approach  of  the 
rod,  and  its  removal  now,  may  make  them  meet  for 
the  inheritance. 

My  dear  wife  is  not  qaite  so  well  as  she  was  at  Sa- 
ratoga ;  your  namesake  suffers  from  teething.  They 
all  remain  in  New  Haven  for  a  month  longer.  I  am 
in  exceeding  good  health.  I  hope  your  dear  M —  is 
stronger,  I  sigh  for  a  letter  from  you,  however  un- 
deserving. Once  more  the  same  hand  and  heart  ex- 
press the  same  love.    Adieu,  my  dearest  sister.    Do 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  287 

the  church  yard  at  Dumfries,  the  hill  this  side  L — d, 
and  one  or  two  other  places,  retain  what  other  things 
may  lose  of  all  swaying  reminiscences  ?  Oh  is  it  not 
almost  worse  than  useless  to  review,  where  the  pain 
of  the  loss  overpowers  the  pleasure  of  recollection! — 
And  yet  that  cannot  be — again  farewell  ?" 


2n 


288  MEMOIRS    OF 


CHAPTER    XXf. 

Here  termlnaled  a  correspondence  which  occupied 
alike,  the  minds  and  hearts  of  those  who  carried  it  on. 
The  first  letter  of  that  correspondence  was  written 
September  8th,  1817,  from  Edinburgh,  the  last,  Au- 
gust 22d,  1829,  from  New  York.  It  was  the  means 
of  stirring  up  many  a  christian  emotion,  and  convey- 
ing many  an  interesting  fact  of  the  state  of  the 
churches.  And  now  it  seems  as  if  a  tie  which  had 
strengthened  the  christian  relations  of  the  United 
States  and  England  were  broken — a  slender  one,  it  is 
true,  but  one  of  the  multitude  of  slender  threads,  which 
combined,  weave  the  web  of  life.  Let  not  the  politi- 
cian smile,  nor  the  scorner  mock.  Who  shall  count 
the  worth  of  those  sympathies  which  connect  the  hu- 
man family  in  the  intimacy  of  the  domestic  hearth, 
though  half  the  globe  intervene  ?  Who  shall  compute 
the  power  of  christian  prayers  and  christian  exertions 
united  in  one  blessed  cause,  that  of  drawing  the  world 
into  conformity  w^ith  its  God  ?  Who  shall  tell  the  in- 
fluences of  christian  example,  acting  and  re-acting, 
arousing  to  mutual  imitation,  and  mutual  help  ?     And 


MATTHIAS    BRUEX.  289 

this  tie  is  broken  ! — broken  in  a  moment ! — and  what 
remains  of  tliosc  sweet  communings  and  of  those 
hopes,  is  but  as  scattered  fragments.  Yet  they  are 
precious  fragments  to  be  carefully  gathered  that 
nothing  be  lost. 

How  strangely  has  the  departed  put  w^ords  into  the 
mouths  of  those  who  survive  to  mourn,  in  the  last  let- 
ter which  his  kind  hand  traced,  "  Oh,  is  it  not  almost 
worse  than  useless  to  review,  where  the  pain  of  the 
loss  so  overpowers  the  pleasure  of  recollection?" 
"  But  yet  that  cannot  be" — no,  it  cannot  be.  Inde- 
pendent of  the  submission  which  those  feel  who  be- 
lieve in  the  wisdom  and  goodness  of  Him  who  ap- 
points the  hour  when  the  soul  is  born  into  this  w^orld, 
and  the  hour  when  it  is  born  into  the  world  of  glory, 
that  submission  which  bows  in  the  midst  of  keenest 
anguish,  and  says,  "  Even  so,  Father,  for  so  it  hath 
seemed  good  in  thy  sight."  Who  w^ould  not  pur- 
chase such  pleasure  even  at  the  expense  of  such  pain? 
Who  would  lose  the  improvement  of  such  intercourse, 
to  be  sheltered  from  a  separation  which  cannot  out- 
last the  little  remnant  of  life?  Especially  when  the 
very  separation,  if  met  and  used  as  it  ought  to  be, 
may  be  the  means  of  drawing  the  survivors  to  more 
holy  walking  w^ith  God  on  earth,  and  to  more  ear- 
nest longings  for  a  meetness  for  heaven. 

This  last  letter  has  been  copied  with  scarcely  the 
omission  of  a  word ; — though  of  it,  as  of  many  of  its 
forerunners,  it  must  be  confessed  that  it  is  developed 


290  MEMOIRS   OF 

to  the  public  eye,  not  without  trembhng  apprehension 
of  violating  those  secret  treasures  of  the  affections, 
whose  preciousness  lies  in  their  being  peculiar.  But 
to  represent  Mr  Bruen  as  he  was,  that  the  heart  may- 
be made  better  by  the  study  of  his  character,  he  must 
not  be  seen  only  in  the  pulpit  or  the  sick  room ; — not 
only  in  the  conduct  of  perplexing  business  for  many 
societies,  or  in  the  still  more  difficult  employment  to 
a  person  of  his  delicacy  of  mind,  of  becoming  a  sup- 
pliant on  their  behalf.  He  must  be  seen  in  his  familiar 
intercourse,  when  sentiment  and  feeling  were  allowed 
to  take  their  free  and  unfettered  course.  Considering 
that  it  is  to  the  church  who  loved  him  that  these  pages 
are  devoted,  the  owner  of  these  letters  has  quelled  and 
subdued,  as  selfish,  the  emotions  that  revolted  against 
the  exhibition  of  any  of  the  shades  of  a  character,  so 
worthy  of  imitation,  and  even  in  its  most  minute  cha- 
racteristics so  eminently  christian. 

The  occupations  of  the  last  few  weeks  of  Mr 
Bruen's  life  are  interesting,  not  only  because  they 
shut  up  his  labours  under  the  sun,  but  because  they 
give  a  fair  sample  of  his  industry,  energy  and  toil 
during  his  last  five  years, — energy  and  toil,  which 
according  to  human  calculation  increased,  till  the 
springs  of  life  broke  under  their  pressure. — But  it  is 
not  so. — He  who  gave  the  life  could  have  strength- 
ened it  to  endure,  had  the  soul  not  been  prepared 
for  a  removal,  and  had  we  not  required  such  a 
chastisement  as  his  loss  inflicts. 


MATTHIAS    miUEN-.  291 

During  the  anniversaries  of  the  spring  of  1829 
he  was  very  much  excited.  He  was  secretary  for 
the  General  Union  for  j^ronioting  the  observance  of 
the  christian  sabbath,  and  though  it  was  the  first 
year  of  the  society,  and  tliere  were  few  materials 
to  form  a  Report,  those  who  have  read  his,  but 
especially  those  who  saw  the  dignity,  the  grace,  the 
beauty  with  which  he  was  animated  while  reading 
it  before  the  society,  will  admit  that  he  acquitted 
himself  admirably  of  his  task.  But  the  Greek  School 
Society  occupied  his  mind,  if  possible,  more  than 
any  other.  It  was  of  his  speech  at  the  anniversary 
of  that  society  that  he  so  modestly  wrote — "  a 
brother  may  say  to  a  sister,  that  I  made  the 
best  speech  I  ever  uttered,  and  better  than  I  can 
ever  speak  again."  Those  who  heard  him,  descri- 
bed his  speech  as  possessing  great  eloquence  and 
grace.  This  subject  of  the  renovation  of  Greece 
had  taken  a  strong  hold  of  his  heart  since  the  year 
1823. 

The  plan  for  promoting  Comjiion  School  Education 
in  Greece  was  peculiarly  Mr  Bruen's  own,  and  the 
mass  of  writing  and  thinking  on  this  subject,  with  the 
exercise  of  wisdom  and  caution  that  tempered  and 
rendered  efficacious  his  noble  enthusiasm,  fills  the 
mind  with  surprise  and  admiration.  The  portion  of 
his  exertion  which  the  world  witnessed  was  much, 
but  could  they  remove  the  covering  from  the  ma- 
chinery and  see  the  multiplied  and  complicated  move- 


292  MEMOIRS   OF 

ments,  balanced  and  counter-checked  by  prudence 
and  experience,  it  might  be  subject  of  wonder  that 
during  all  this  activity,  he  applied  himself  without 
remission  to  his  other  duties,  and  that  his  very  dreams 
were  not  of  Greece. 

From  a  bulky  correspondence  with  the  Rev  Leon- 
ard Bacon  of  New  Haven,  we  venture  to  make  a  few 
very  sparing  extracts.  They  tend  both  to  vindicate 
the  character  of  the  Greeks,  which  has  been  too 
willingly  traduced  by  many  interested  partisans,  and 
to  exhibit  the  writer  full  of  occupation  and  christian 
zeal,  yet  kind,  forbearing,  and  even  playful. 

To  the  Rev  Leonard  Bacon. 

New  York,  March  16th,  1829. 
"  Some  of  us  here  have  been  a  little  surprised  and 
sorry  to  sec  the  attempt  to  clear  up  the  reputation  of 

the  Turks  from   Mr   's  pen  in  the   Connecticut 

Journal.  I  know  that  truth  never  does  harm,  but  it 
is  all  important  when  we  publish  it,  to  know  whether 
it  will  be  truth  in  the  minds  we  send  it  to.  Now  the 
Turkish  party  in  the  city  is  pretty  large,  headed  by 
the  ,  and  all  the  infidels,  &c.  which  such  a  com- 
mon sewer  as  we  are,  collects.  A  document  from 
the  hand  of  a  missionary  vouching  for  the  humane 
character  of  the  Turks,  for  a  fair  offset  of  cruelty  on 
the  part  of  the  Greeks,  and  stating  that  poverty  neu- 
tralises the  law  permitting  polygamy — that  there  is 
never  a  miracle  among  the  Turks  but  the  Greeks  get 


MATTHIAS    URUEiV.  203 

Up  as  big  a  lie;  such  things  in  the  mimls  it  may  be — 
certainly  in  the  stakmciils  of  the  adversaries  of  all 
good,  will  not  be  truth  however  abstractedly  true. 
They  have  always  said  that  this  was  a  war  like  any 
other.  We  have  conceived  it  to  be  a  war  of  Mahomc- 
danism  against  the  feeble  and  abased  remnants  of 
Christ,  "  Even  the  storks  know  the  difference  beliveen  the 
houses  of  the  Turks  and  the  Christians,  and  frequent  ojily 
the  former^  It  is  not  added  that  in  Egypt,  the  ibis 
and  the  crocodile  would  only  have  frequented  the  re- 
gions where  they  were  worshipped.  Where  religion 
takes  such  a  fantastic  shape  as  to  worship  idiocy,  it 
may  protect  birds  and  kill  men.  We  have  thought 
the  Turks  committed  the  murders  of  this  awful  and 
not  yet  concluded  war.  Now  it  is  the  Egyptians, 
Albanians  and  Cretans.  If  said  in  truth,  I  doubt 
whether  these  things  are  said  in  time,  and  they  are 
liable  to  a  misconstruction  and  misrepresentation  so 
powerful,  as  to  prevent  the  zoorld  at  least,  from  giving 
one  dollar  to  help  the  Greeks  in  any  thing.  I  particu- 
larly asked  Mr  King,  what  other  reason  besides  that 
the  Greeks  were  slaves,  and  the  Turks  the  masters, 
not  forced  to  steal  while  they  can  murder,  made  a-11 
travellers  from  Smyrna  give  the  Turks  a  good  char- 
acter. He  replied,  the  Franks  in  Smyrna  have  all 
the  commerce,  while  the  Greek  factors  are  extermi- 
nated, and  so  the  Franks  always  calumniate  the 
Greeks.  I  asked  Dr  How  why  Boston  is  so  lukewarm 
in  the  cause  of  Greece.     He  said,  the  Smyrna  trade 


294  MEMOIRS    OF 

makes  it  so.  Mr  King  vouched  for  the  character 
which  the  Turks  have  been  so  many  centuries  making 
for  themselves,  and  that  popular  opinion  is  true.  It  is 
with  nature  as  with  books,  things  that  last  through 
centuries  must  be  true. 

I  will  not  pretend  to  express  the  vexation  this  pub- 
lication excited  in  my  mind  in  reference  to  this  very 
plan  of  schools  for  Greece.  I  should  have  no  objec- 
tion that  Mr should  know  how  far  I  think  he 

may  have  put  an  instrument  in  the  hand  of  an  adver- 
sary. He  is  as  much  at  liberty  to  differ  from  me,  as 
I  to  judge  in  a  matter  so  public."        *        *        *       * 

May  4th,  1829. 
Dear  Brother, 

"  Happily  breathing  is  an  involuntary  exercise — so 
1  scarcely  know  that  I  have  breathed  since  you  set  me 
running  on  this  Greek  business — for  the  other  socie- 
ties and  preparations  for  the  anniversaries  press  us  on 
every  side.  I  cannot  repeat  my  scrawl  to  professor 
Goodrich,  which  please  to  read.  But  pray  excuse  my 
not  keeping  you  informed  from  day  to  day  of  the  mat- 
ter. We  have  been  incessantly  busy,  however  you 
may  have  thought  us  idle.  Now  hear  your  sentence — 
You  must  be  here  Deo  volente,  Friday  of  next  week,  to 
fill  a  niche,  if  we  find  no  better  man  to  speak — in- 
deed you  must  open.     We  have  sent  for  Perdicari* 


*  Mr  Gregory  Pcrdecari.  Greek  instructor  in  Mount  Pleasant  school  at  Am- 
herst . 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  295 

and  for  Col.  Napjris.  The  New  Yorkers,  like  tlie 
Athenians,  seek  To  rfor.          *             *             *  * 

But  they  must  have  some  plain  English  and  we  shall 
fully  depend  on  you  to  give  it.  You  must  make  one 
business  statement — fail  not  on  your  part,  that  the 
republic  suffer  no  injury.  We  shall  have  a  grand 
anniversary  at  the  masonic  hall.  Write  to  me  that 
you  will  be  here.  I  wrote  a  full  letter  to ,  be- 
sides other  communications.  It  seems  to  me  the  plan 
cannot  fail  to  take,  over  the  whole  land.  Look  well 
to  your  child  and  come  and  see  after  it.     I   hoped 

to  have  had of  Louisiana,  to  make  the  closing 

fipeech,  but  he  went  to  Washington  yesterday. 

Your  friend, 

M.  Bruen." 

New  York,  June  8th,  1829 
My  dear  brother, 

"  Your  queries  shall  have  a  full  answer.  For  many 
reasons  I  am  glad  to  have  them  propounded.  The 
anniversaries  pretty  zvell  used  me  up,  and  I  am  only 
coming  to  life  now,  so  that  it  needs  a  direct  question 
to  bring  a  letter  to  pass  with  me. 

Imprimis — i\Iy  confidence  equals  yours  in  the 
project.  It  may  be  made  the  greatest  factum  of  the 
age. 

2.  No  terms  are  to  bo  kept  with  *         *         *         * 

who  would  have  our  country  stand  like  a  great  rich 

bully,  both  hands  in  his  pockets,  and  say,  wc  arc  the 
2o 


296  MEMOIRS  OF 

most  learned,  free,  and  magnanimous  people  on  the 
earth,  and  intend  to  be  always  in  the  superlative  by- 
showing  no  mercy  to  all  the  positive  wretchedness  on 
the  globe.  I  am  delighted  at  the  ground  they  take, 
"  American  money  on  American  soil ! "  It  fairly 
shames  their  own  adherents,  as  I  know.  This  school 
project  has  done  good  in  having  pushed  the  objection 
to  benevolence  away  from  Christianity,  and  interfer- 
ing with  people's  religion,  into  the  bald  question  in  the 
abstract,  namely,  "  Is  benevolence  more  praiseworthy 
than  selfishness?" 

3.  4.  5.         *         *  *  *  *  * 

6.  As  to  the  Onward — We,  my  dear  brother,  have 
got  hold  of  an  enormously  great  scheme,  and  if  I  ob- 
tain help,  I  will  not  let  go  the  rope  till  I  die.  But  our 
first  m.ovements  must  acquire  the  confidence  of  the 
calculating,  prudent  and  less  zealous  than  ourselves. 
I  never  saw  any  thing  so  feasible  and  so  grand.  Jonas 
King's  letters,  coming  as  they  did  to  the  pubhc  meet- 
ing, seemed  a  direct  ray  of  heaven  on  us. 

»y^  *##**#** 
Time  forbids  my  putting  a  tail  to  this  seven-headed 
monster.  Until  the  next  letter  this  will  put  you  in 
possession  of  our  views — I  say  our,  though  they  are 
mine — I  feel  that  one  man  who  does  one  thing  can  do 
it — but  I  am  bound  up  in  half  a  dozen  things,  all  tend- 
ing to  the  same  end,  any  one  of  them  enough  for  one. 
But  we  have  a  choice  committee,  and  I  have  every 
wish  of  my  heart  gratified  by  the  form  in  which  this 


MATTHIAS    BRUEX.  297 

thing  now  lies  before  the  pubHc.  It  shall  have  my 
best  efforts,  though  3''ou  did  desert  me  in  my  utmost 
need,  but  I  labour  not  for  your  behoof — sed  contra  ini- 
micos  humani  generis,  pro  humano  genere  et  ecclesia. 
Look  well  to  this  ebullition  of  Latin,  and  take  heed 
how  you  write  To  vbov  interrogatively,  or  I  shall  give 
you  some  modern  Greek.  *  *  *  I  think  a 
man  likely  to  fight  against  providence  who  has  but 
one  boat  to  sail  in  this  age  of  enterprise.  Besides 
thinking  of  going  to  Greece,  I  have  thought  of  going 
to  Illinois,  and  Paris,  and  Labrador.  It  is  unhappy 
for  a  man  to  determine  that  his  whole  life  shall  be  dis- 
astrous, because  he  cannot  preach  the  gospel  in  the 
Bowers-e.  g.  Or  if  he  have  the  gift  of  tongues,  to  re- 
fuse to  talk  Hottentot,  because  the  Greeks  stop  their 
ears.  So  you  see  at  least  professedly,  I  am  for  being 
used  up  somehow. 

Your  friend  and  brother, 

M.  Bruen." 

New  York,  July  2d,  1829. 
"  As  to  my  going  to  Baltimore,  Mr  Perdicari  could 
not  be  had,  so  that  was  useless ;  and  as  to  other  ef- 
forts you  will  not  see  more  than  I  can,  why  it  is  my 
special  duty  to  abandon  my  parish,  more  than  it  is 
yours  to  abandon  the  Centre  church  for  a  week  or  a 
month  to  go  begging  money  over  the  country.  Will 
you  go  and  do  it  1  The  Greek  S.  C.  will  be  very  glad 
to  send  you  a  commission  forthwith.     I  occupy  a 


298  MEMOIRS   OF 

place  which  I  wish  you  had,  but  would  rather  be  ac- 
cused of  sloth  than  of  error.  If  you  think  the  field  all 
clear,  I  pray  you  get  Mr  Tappan  to  move,  and  be- 
lieve that  I  am  only  humble  scribe  to  the  meeting. 
Perhaps  my  last  letter  had  too  much  elation  in  it,  for 
I  have  my  ups  and  downs  in  this  business — it  is  as  dif- 
ficult as  it  is  important.  But  I  intend  to  have  the  con- 
firmation of  my  own  judgment  at  least,  for  of  how- 
ever little  worth  to  others,  it  is  all  I  have  to  guide  me 
so  long  as  I  belong  to  this  committee.  I  do  not  say 
this,  as  implying  that  you  have  censured  it.     =*         * 

I  have  written  far  more  than  I  intended,  more  than 
I  have  fairly  had  time  to  give. 

Believe  me  with  christian  affection, 

Your  brother, 

M.  Bruen." 

It  is  not  fitting  to  dilate  further  here  on  this  affect- 
ing subject.  But  O!  that  a  voice  as  from  his  tomb 
might  summon  anew  the  enemies  of  oppression,  the 
friends  of  liberty,  the  patrons  of  learning,  to  put  forth 
fresh  energy  to  this  noble  work.  The  call  is  more 
urgent  on  America,  because  the  groans  and  tears 
come  from  a  republic,  the  ruin  of  what  once  was 
free  ; — from  christians  the  remnant  of  those  who  once 
were  holy,  and  the  protectors  of  other  churches. 
And  shall  not  the  happy  and  honoured  daughters  of 
America  also  verify  that  cherished  hope  of  Mr  Bruen, 
that  wherever  it  is  felt  how  indispensable  are  female 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN-.  299 

intelligence  and  virtue  to  a  nation's  felicity,  they  will 
exert  themselves  to  restore  and  elevate  the  character 
of  the  degraded  and  aOlicted  daughters  of  Greece. 
Who  better  know  than  the  honoured  females  of  a  free 
and  christian  country,  how  their  influence  molifies 
the  man,  alleviates  his  griefs,  smooths  his  asperities, 
and  leads  him,  by  means  of  the  small,  sweet  charities 
of  life,  to  estimate  those  peaceful  virtues  which  tyran- 
ny and  injustice  have  driven  from  his  home.  Shall 
not  both  sexes  be  roused  to  a  generous  emulation  in 
such  a  work  of  love  ;  so  that  Greece  may  not  be  left 
to  feel  that  the  strength  of  her  friends  failed,  though 
their  spirits  drooped  when  Bruen  expired. 


300  MEMOIRS   OF 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

After  the  exertions  of  the  time  of  the  anniversaries, 
Mr  .B.  felt  relaxed  by  the  warm  weather,  and  went  with 
his  beloved  family,  to  the  springs  at  Saratoga,  for  a 
fortnight.  While  there,  he  was  in  high  spirits  and  full 
of  that  placid  enjoyment  which  his  nature  was  so  pe- 
culiarly fitted  to  relish,  with  friends  whom  he  loved. 
Early  in  August,  they  returned  to  the  city,  but  the 
health  of  his  children  constrained  their  mother  to  leave 
its  deleterious  atmosphere  and  seek  purer  air  leav- 
ing him  full  of  occupation  at  home.  During  this  in- 
terval he  went  to  New  London  to  represent  the  Bible 
Society  in  the  extra  effort  to  supply  every  family  in 
the  United  States.  Then  went  to  New  Haven,  for  the 
same  object. — Returned  to  New  York  for  the  duties  of 
the  sabbath,  and  on  the  monday  joined  his  family.  It 
was  the  last  time.  On  tuesday  he  was  travelHng  to 
Woodbury,  in  company  with  Professor  Taylor,  of 
the  Theological  Seminary  of  New  Haven  when  that 
most  instructive  and  satisfying  conversation  took  place, 
which  so  shortly  after,  on  his  most  unlooked-for  death 
bed,  he  requested  Mrs  Bruen  to  obtain  from  Dr  Tay- 
lor. 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  301 

It  is  peculiarly  a  subject  of  gratitude  that  Dr  Tay- 
lor has  rescued  time  from  his  pressing  avocations,  to 
embody  in  writing  those  words  so  precious.  They  are 
precious  as  an  example  of  what  ought  to  be  a  chris- 
tian's occupation  "  when  he  walks  by  the  way."  They 
bring  before  us  two  servants  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  jour- 
neying for  the  purpose  of  ordaining  missionaries  for 
a  barren  land,  not  slothfully  resting  in  their  own  chris- 
tian privileges,  not  placing  any  confidence  in  their  oc- 
cupations as  evidences  of  their  union  to  Christ,  but 
taking  deep  counsel  with  each  other,  and  searching  to 
the  very  foundation  what  is  their  hope.  They  are 
precious  as  an  example  of  the  means  by  which  a  pas- 
tor becomes  wise  to  win  souls,  and  studies  the  hearts 
of  his  hearers  in  the  mirror  of  his  own.  It  is  thus, 
that  "  iron  sharpeneth  iron,"  and  the  man  of  God  be- 
comes thoroughly  furnished  for  every  good  work. — 
They  are  precious  as  an  example  how  time,  which  is 
by' many  who  travel,  lost  as  to  any  mental  occupation, 
may  be  improved  to  the  quickening  of  the  spirit,  the 
clearing  of  the  views,  and  to  preparation  either  for 
usefulness  in  a  prolonged  pilgrimage,  or  peace  at  its 
close.  Dr  Taylor  must  forgive  what  may  to  his  first 
impression  seem  a  breach  of  delicacy,  that  he  is  thus 
mentioned.  It  is  one  of  the  small  penalties  which  he 
must  pay  for  having  had  the  privilege  of  holding  this 
his  last  communing  with  his  departed  brother,  and  for 
having  himself  uttered  sentiments  so  fitted  to  be  useful. 
Without  doubt  he  will  pay  the  penalty  with  satisfac- 


302  MEMOIRS  OF 

tion,  when  he  considers  that  by  his  reminiscences  of 
this  conversation  he  has  consoled  the  grief  and  guided 
the  minds  of  those  who  mourned  with  him  the  loss  of 
Mr  Bruen,  and  that  the  sentiments  here  published  are 
what  he  doubtless  often  inculcates  in  his  character  of 
a  minister  of  the  blessed  gospel.  But  his  own  express- 
ions of  hesitation  to  comply  with  the  request  made  to 
him  to  recall  this  conversation  "  lest  he  should  give 
undue  prominence  to  self  in  his  part  of  it,"  proves  that 
the  most  disinterested  motives  prompted  him  to  write 
it  at  first ;  and  the  same  motives  we  cannot  doubt  will 
induce  him  to  forgive  the  publication  of  what  he  in 
christian  kindness  wrote. 

From  Dr  Taylor,  New  Haven. 

Dear  Madam, 

"  I  have  intended  to  give  you  long  before  this,  the 
account  requested,  of  your  beloved  husband's  conver- 
sation with  me,  to  which  he  alluded  in  the  hour  of  his 
departure  to  a  better  world.  I  have  been  prevented 
from  attempting  it  chiefly  by  the  pressure  of  my  oc- 
cupations. There  is  another  reason  why  I  have 
hesitated,  and  often  thought  of  requesting  you  to 
excuse  me  from  complying  with  so  reasonable  a 
request ;  the  difficulty  of  doing  it  without  seeming  at 
least,  to  give  an  undue  or  unbecoming  prominence  to 
myself,  in  regard  to  my  part  of  the  conversation.  I 
trust  it  is  for  your  own  use  and  gratification  you  have 
asked  me  to  do  this,  and  I  ought  not  to  hesitate.    In- 


MATTHIAS    BRUEY.  '10^ 

dclled  I  do  not  know  that  it  now  possible  for  mc  to 
distinguish  the  parts  which  were  his  from  those  which 
were  mine,  and  since  I  can  see  no  special  importance 
in  this,  as  there  was  the  most  perfect  coincidence  of 
views  and  feelings  expressed  throughout,  I  shall  not 
attempt  it.  It  was  one  of  those  conversations,  which 
I  trust  may  prove  to  me  an  earnest  and  foretaste  of 
the  heavenly  happiness.  To  him  it  was  not  so  much 
the  foretaste  as  the  commencement  of  the  joys  of  that 
world. 

The  conversation  was  dictated  by  the  intimacy  of 
confiding  friendship  ;  and  began  on  his  part  with  a  de- 
sign to  his  own  profit,  though  it  might,  with  more  pro- 
priety have  proceeded  from  a  regard  to  mine.  lie 
commenced  by  asking  me  to  state  to  him  the  grounds 
of  my  christian  hope,  and  the  degree  of  confidence  I 
had  in  my  own  preparation  for  the  heavenly  world. 

The  first  topic  was,  that  highly  excited  emotion, 
though  apparently  holy,  was  not  in  itself  the  best 
evidence  of  christian  character.  On  this  point  it 
was  remarked  as  a  fact  in  our  own  experience,  that 
it  was  not  difficult  in  retired  devotion,  and  abstract 
contemplations  of  the  great  objects  of  religious  af- 
fections, to  feel  deeply  and  strongly  in  view  of  them, 
— not  difficult  to  bring  in  upon  the  soul  a  tide  oi 
emotion,  in  which  the  heart  should  apparently  soften 
in  tender  relcntings  for  sin,  and  sorrow  for  it — in 
which  its  deformity  should  become  sensibly  odious, 
and  our  abhorrence  of  it  seem  to  associate  with 
itself  a  fixed  purpose  of  its  unreserved  renunciation, 
2p 


304  MEMOIRS   OF 

and  of  devotedness  to  the  service  of  God,  not  dil- 
ficult  when  contemplating  the  character  of  a  perfect 
God,  to  seem  to  exercise  a  supreme  affection  for 
so  much  excellence,  with  those  emotions  of  rever- 
ence and  awe  in  view  of  his  greatness  and  majesty, 
of  gratitude  for  the  riches  of  his  goodness  and 
his  grace,  and  of  joy  in  his  universal  dominion, 
which  are  so  appropriate  on  our  part.  That  of  the 
existence  of  such  affections  in  appearance  in  our 
own  minds  we  could  not  doubt ;  that  although  we 
did  not  feel  authorized  to  deny  their  genuineness, 
when  thus  awakened  in  the  mind,  nor  to  refuse 
our  thanksgivings  to  Him,  from  whose  grace  they 
might  proceed ;  that  although  in  themselves,  they 
are  among  the  most  delightful  and  happy  frames 
of  which  man  can  be  the  subject,  and  of  great 
utility  and  indispensable  necessity  to  give  decision, 
strength  and  activity  to  the  rehgious  principle  of 
the  soul ;  that  although  they  are  on  these  accounts 
to  be  cultivated  and  cherished  by  the  christian, 
they  do  not  when  contemplated  in  the  abstract  form 
and  insulated  character  of  mere  emotion,  furnish  the 
most   solid  basis  of  christian  hope. 

The  defects  of  such  a  foundation  of  hope,  were 
then  displayed  in  such  remarks  as  these ;  that  the  gen- 
uineness of  no  religious  affections  can  be  confidently 
decided  on,  at  least  in  the  imperfect  degree  in  which 
they  exist  in  this  world,  merely  by  reflection.  That  it 
is  difficult  by  mere  mental  inspection  to  decide  con- 
fidently respecting  the  reality  of  practical  principles. 


MATTHIAS    BRUEX.  305 

That   afTcclions   awakened  by  the   contemplation  of 
their  objects,  though  they  may  be  genuine,  may  also 
be  simply  the  excitement  of  those  constitutional  sus- 
ceptibilities,  which   pertain  to    the   7ialure   of  moral 
beings  whether  holy  or  sinful ;  and  especially  when 
such   excitement   is    aided  by  the  imagination,  and 
some  degree  of  hope,  that  we  are  already  the  objects 
of  divine  favour.     Illustrative  of  the  remark,  that  men 
simply  as  moral  beings,  are  capable  of  this  excite- 
ment of  constitutional  emotion,  the  familiar  passage 
from  Milton  was  cited,  "Abashed  the  devil  stood,"  &c 
It  was  further  remarked,  that  the  object  of  holy  aflec- 
tion  must  be  apprehended  by  the  mind,  not  only  in 
their  abstract  nature  and  excellence,  but  mihe'iv practi- 
cal relations.  It  was  said,  that  we  might  easily  contem- 
plate the  perfect  character  of  God  in  that  insolated 
form,   which    shall    exclude  his    relation   to  us  as  a 
moral  governor  to  whose  will  our  will  must    be  in 
entire  and  cheerful  subjection,  and  that  it  were  not 
less  easy  to  contemplate  an  object  of  such  excellence 
and   glory,   in  this  manner,  with   sensible  and  even 
delightful  emotion.     This  fact  was  adverted  to  as  the 
basis  of  much  self-deception,  especially  in  those  senti- 
mental religionists    who  speak  with  rapture  of  the 
goodness  of  the  Creator,   and  of  the  love  of  Christ, 
but  do  not,  the  things  which  he  commands.     The  fact 
too  wcis  illustrated  by  the  power  and  influence  which 
contrariety  of  will,  or  collision  of  interest,  often  has 
to  render  all  the  excellence  and  beauty  of  the  most 


306  MEMOIRS   OF 

perfect  moral  character,  an  object  of  aversion,  dis- 
gust and  enmity.  Hence  it  was  inferred,  that  affec- 
tions, however  much  excited,  which  do  not  imply- 
just  views  of  the  high  relation  of  God  to  us  as  our 
moral  governor,  claiming  cheerful  and  cordial  sub- 
jection to  his  w^ill, — affections  which  do  not  associate 
with  themselves  the  purpose  of  holy  obedience,  or 
perhaps  more  properly  involve  such  purpose  in  their 
very  nature,  are  ever  to  be  regarded  as  spurious ; 
that  there  can  be  no  security,  that  our  affections  are 
such  as  are  appropriate  to  the  object,  except  they  rise 
through  just  views  of  the  object,  both  in  respect  to 
its  nature,  and  its  relations  to  us ;  that  the  prominent 
relation  in  which  God  reveals  himself  to  man,  and 
one  to  which  all  others  are  subservient  and  in 
which  they  terminate  is  that  of  a  moral  governor 
whose  will  should  be  our  will ;  and  that  accordingly 
those  affections  toward  God  are  the  only  genuine 
affections,  which  associate  with  themselves,  a  full 
purpose  of  heart  to  consecrate  the  whole  man  to  his 
service — to  the  doing  of  his  will  in  all  holy  obedience. 
With  these  things  in  view,  it  was  further  remarked, 
that  affections  awakened  merely  by  contemplation, 
and  evincing  their  existence  to  us  onhj  by  reflex  men- 
tal scrutiny,  be  they  searched  and  held  up  to  our 
mental  vision  ever  so  carefully,  cannot  authorize  the 
highest  degree  of  confidence  in  their  genuineness, 
which  is  attainable  by  the  real  christian ;  that  to  evince 
hteir  genuineness,  in  the  most  desirable  and  satisfac- 


MATTHIAS    imUE?f.  307 

tory  manner,  they  must  show  themselves  in  their 
practical  relations  and  practical  results.  Here  how- 
ever it  was  added,  that  the  want  of  affections — 
of  all  affections,  having  the  appearance  or  aspect  of 
fitness,  or  appropriateness  to  divine  things,  is  decisive 
proof,  that  there  is  nothmg  in  the  heart  w^hich  God 
can  approve — that  he  who  in  the  retirement  of  the 
closet,  in  his  contemplations  of  God,  of  the  Saviour, 
of  the  heavenly  world,  &c.  has  no  emotions  or  affec- 
tions which  the  nature  of  these  objects  is  fitted  to 
awaken  in  the  mind,  has  not  the  shadow  of  a  warrant 
for  the  christian  hope. 

After  a  series  of  remarks,  designed  wdth  minute 
accuracy  to  distinguish  "the  precious  from  the  vile  " 
in  our  affections,  dwelling  on  the  difficulties  of  such 
discrimination;  you  will  readily  suppose  that  the 
questions  occurred  with  deep  interest,  how  then  shall 
we  decide  the  great  question,  whether  we  are  the  chil- 
dren of  God  or  not  ?  and  what  degree  of  confidence 
that  we  are,  is  attainable  in  this  world?  Here  it  was 
stated  that  religion  in  the  soul  of  man  is  in  its  very 
nature  a  practical  principle,  the  governing  practical  prin- 
ciple ;  and  that  of  course  it  will  and  must  always 
furnish  legitimate  evidence  of  its  existence  to  its 
subject,  by  its  actual  results  in  the  life;  that  there 
always  is  a  degree  of  practical  power  in  the  principle, 
and  a  degree  of  practical  result,  that  constitute  legit- 
imate proof  of  the  reality  of  the  principle.  True,  it 
was  said,  a  man  without   the  principle  may  do   many 


308  MEMOIRS   OF 

things,  which  he  would  do  with  it ;  and  the  subject  of 
it  may  erroneously  estimate  or  overlook  the  legiti- 
mate evidence  in  his  own  case,  and  judge  erroneously 
respecting  himself.  But  the  man  who  is  the  subject 
of  the  principle,  whether  he  judges  that  he  has  it,  or 
has  it  not,  will  do,  what  the  man  without  it  will  not  do. 
There  will  in  the  case  of  the  former  be  peculiar  prac- 
tical results,  so  habitual,  so  uniform,  attended  withj  so 
much  conscientiousness,  self-denial,  &c.  that  the  mind 
unperverted  in  the  estimate  of  the  evidence  furnished, 
will  see  and  know  that  these  results  are  dictated  by 
the  right  principle,  and  can  be  the  results  of  no  other 
principle.  In  other  words,  there  will  be  such  a  doing 
of  the  will  of  God,  from  the  principle  of  obedience  to 
God,  wherever  the  principle  exists,  as  will  evince 
to  the  unperverted  judgment,  the  fact  that  the 
practice  proceeds  from  the  principle.  Intimately 
associated  with  these  thoughts,  a  common  but  un- 
fortunate mode  of  judging  of  personal  religion, 
was  adverted  to — that  of  appealing  to  past  experi- 
ence, in  a  manner,  which  disconnects  it  with  the  pre- 
sent state  of  the  affections  and  the  practical  purpose 
of  the  heart;or  rather  with  religion  as  a  practical  prin- 
ciple, a  mode  in  which  the  mind  is  ever  searching  after 
evidence,  and  overlooks  the  necessity  of  creating  it,  at 
each  successive  moment  of  accountable  existence,  and  is 
thus  more  anxious  for  the  past  than  for  the  present ; 
more  desirous  to  believe  that  they  are  christians,  than 
actually  to  he  christians. 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  309, 

In  this  connection,  also,  a  saying  of  John  Newton's 
was  referred  to — substantially  this — that  if  he  ever  be- 
came a  christian,  he  thought  he  should  be  a  far  more 
exemplary  and  perfect  one,  than  any  he  had  known, 
but  that  he  found  after  his  conversion  he  was  still  a 
sinner — that  after  all  his  resolutions,  prayers,  and  pur- 
poses, and  experience,  he  was  still  a  sinner,  and  must 
go  down  to  his  grave  a  sinner,  as  dependent  on  Christ 
his  Saviour  at  last  as  at  first.  The  manner  of  Ste- 
phen's death  was  also  spoken  of,  as  excluding  in  an 
absolute  manner,  all  reliance  on  what  he  had 
been,  or  had  done,  or  then  was ;  and  as  a  striking 
exemplification  of  7uikecl  trust  in  his  Saviour  and 
of  its  power  to  sustain  the  soul  of  a  sinner — 
"Lord  Jesus  receive  my  spirit."  This  was  men- 
tioned not  only  as  a  desirable  way  of  dying,  but 
also  as  illustrating  the  connection  between  present 
experience,  present  states  or  exercises  of  the  heart, 
and  the  supports  and  consolations  of  religion,  and 
shewing  what  there  must  be  when  and  where  it 
is  not.  As  a  further  exemplification  of  the  sustain- 
ing and  cheering  power  of  trust  and  confidence, 
the  transition  from  terror  to  serenity  and  joy  in  a 
lost  child  on  meeting  his  father,  w^as  specified. — 
In  connection  with  these  remarks,  there  was  a  re- 
currence to  what  had  been  said  before,  respecting 
the  nature  and  the  power  of  the  practical  principle, 
shewing  that  along  with  the  imperfections  and  sins 
of  the  christian    there  w^as   a  trust  or   confidence 


310  MEMOIRS   OF 

in  the  Saviour,  that  destroyed  their  influence  to 
alarm  and  agitate  the  mind,  while  with  the  reality 
of  the  holy  principle  evinced  as  before  described, 
there  was  inseparably  associated  in  his  own  con- 
sciousness, the  feeling  of  oneness  in  purpose, 
design  and  action  with  God.  This  thought  was 
dwelt  upon  at  some  length,  modified  and  expanded 
in  various  forms ;  as,  that  the  christian  in  view  of 
the  character,  will  and  government  of  God,  must 
be  conscious,  and  this  by  the  conscious  union  of 
principle  and  action  in  himself,  that  he  wished 
for  no  other  mode  of  being,  than  that  in  which  he 
should  be  engaged  with  a  perfect  heart  in  doing 
the  will  of  God,  promoting  his  designs  and  wit- 
nessing the  results;  that  in  this  mode  of  existence 
he  could  not  be  unhappy ;  that  nothing  could 
be  preferred  to  it,  or  compared  with  it,  that  all 
else  conceivable,  were  he  excluded  from  this, 
would  be  to  him  a  dieary  exile,  leaving  him  no  em- 
ployment in  which  he  could  delight — no  friend  in 
whom  he  could  confide — no  object  worthy  of  pursuit 
— no  home  for  eternity  where  he  could  rest ;  that  to 
be  shut  out  from  this  mode  of  being  and  of  life,  would 
be  to  render  him  an  orphan,  and  an  outcast  in  a  for- 
saken fatherless  universe  ;  that  instead  of  a  universe 
bright  blessed  and  glorious  with  the  displays  of  God 
and  the  accompHshment  of  His  designs,  and  the  joys  of 
our  own  instrumental  agency,  it  would  become  an 
absolute  desert.     Inquiries  were  then  made,  which 


MATTHIAS    BRUEX.  311 

from  the  interest  we  felt  in  the  subject,  seemed  to  be 
the  expression  of  our  real  feehngs,  than  questions 
needing  an  answer.  What  should  what  could  we  do, 
under  such  an  exclusion  from  God — from  that  active 
co-operation  with  God,  in  the  accomplishment  of  Iiis 
great  and  glorious  designs,  which  is  the  portion  and 
blessedness  of  His  servants.  To  be  placed  in  what 
part  of  the  universe  we  might,  and  to  know  that  there 
is  such  a  God,  with  such  a  system  of  instrumental  ac- 
tion, appointed  to  creatures  like  ourselves,  for  the  ac- 
complishment of  such  resuhs  as  will  fully  exhibit  God's 
power  to  bless.  His  Kingdom  would  awaken  those 
longings  of  spirit  to  live  and  act  for  Him,  which  no- 
thing could  extinguish. 

This  led  to  the  mutual  expression  of  the  wish  that 
we  might  live  and  act  thus,  both  in  this  and  in  a  future 
world,  as  workers  together  with  God — and  of  the  as- 
surance that  with  such  feelings  and  purposes  of  soul, 
evinced  by  their  conscious  connection  with  doing  the 
Divine  will,  we  should  not  want  the  consolations  of 
christian  hope,  while  in  this  world ;  that  though  uncer- 
tainty might  in  some  degree  mar  our  prospects,  it 
would  be  rather  the  result  of  the  apprehension  that  we 
might  be  mistaken  in  our  judgment  of  ourselves,  than 
the  belief  that  we  were — that  it  would  give  us  com- 
paratively but  little  disquietude,  while  we  found  our- 
selves living  thus  for  God — that  death  itself  with  all 
its  terrors  would  not  much  disturb  us,  for  the  feeling 

would  be  and  could  not  be  dislodged  from  the  mind, 
2q 


312  MEMOIRS   OF 

that  it  would  not  separate  us  from  God — that  our  hap- 
piness is  incorporated  with  His  glory,  and  the  fulfil- 
ment of  His  designs ;  and  that  that  life  and  mode  of 
being  which  are  known  to  be  our  hearts'  desire,  will 
and  must  be  that  of  eternity.  I  remember  well  that 
while  we  thus  communed,  all  seemed  to  be  safe,  all  to 
be  well  with  us  for  evermore. 

From  this  course  of  thought,  continued  for  some 
time,  we  adverted  to  the  system  and  course  of  effort 
to  be  made  for  the  miserable  world  in  which  we  were 
— our  own  respective  places  of  residence — our  coun- 
try— the  world — and  more  particularly  Greece,  were 
the  localities  to  which  our  thoughts  w^ere  directed. 
Your  husband  here  more  fully  perhaps  than  to  any 
one  except  yourself,  disclosed  to  me  his  thoughts  and 
purposes  respecting  that  country.  I  need  not  detail 
this  part  of  the  conversation  to  you.  Had  he  lived  I 
doubt  not  that  Greece  had  been  indebted  to  him,  for 
an  agency  of  philanthrophy  and  benevolence  that  had 
eclipsed  all  the  glory  of  her  ancient  heroes  or  patriots. 

Such  is  an  outline  of  the  substance  of  the  conversa- 
tion as  I  recollect  it.  I  should  doubtless  have  thought 
less  of  this  interchange  of  thought  and  feeling  with  a 
beloved  brother  and  intimate  christian  friend,  had  it 
not  been  so  soon  followed  by  his  death.  It  derives 
from  this  event  pecuHar  interest.  It  may  very  prop- 
erly in  my  estimation,  be  regarded  as  a  heart-search- 
ing scrutiny  conducted  with  that  frank  and  open  dis- 
closure which  is  peculiar,  (I  ought  to  say  this  of  my 


MATTHIAS    HRUE.V.  318 

friend  rather  than  of  myself)  to  a  confidential  conver- 
sation of  a  christian  who  in  it  was  aiming  at  a  deci- 
sion respecting  himself,  the  most  momentous  on  this 
side  of  the  judgment  seat.  And  I  should  not  omit  to 
say,  how  distinctly  I  recollect  the  interest,  the  mental 
intensity,  with  which  he  adhered  to  the  subject  of  in- 
quiry, and  still  more,  in  that  part  of  the  conversation, 
in  which  the  result  was  obtained,  how  obvious  were 
the  mental  serenity  and  peace,  of  strengthening  hope 
and  confidence.  I  might  say,  it  was  easy  to  see  a 
beaming  joy  in  his  countenance  evincing  that  with 
him  all  was  safe  for  eternity,  as  his  thoughts  thus  re- 
curred to  its  legitimate  warrant  in  that  state  of  heart, 
which  he  knew  to  be  his  own. 

And  now,  my  dear  Madam,  I  am  glad  that  your  im- 
portunity has  overcome  my  reluctance  to  give  you 
this  narrative,  imperfect  as  it  is.  To  recall  the  inter- 
view is  pleasant,  and  I  hope  may  be  profitable  to  me. 
I  commit  it  to  you  with  the  confidence  that  it  will  give 
you  in  some  degree  the  pleasure  you  anticipated.  It 
is  a  better  testimony  of  the  kind,  perhaps,  than  could 
be  given  in  any  other  circumstances,  of  the  piety  of 
your  beloved  husband,  and  his  preparation  for  death. 
It  seems  to  me  to  be  saying  on  his  part,  without  anti- 
cipating the  suddenness  of  that  event,  in  the  midst  of 
life,  and  with  all  his  earthly  prospects  as  bright  as  ev- 
er, "  I  am  ready  to  be  ofl^ered."  That  his  God  may 
be  your  God,  is  the  prayer  of  your  frieiid  and  humble 
servant.  N.  W.  Taylor. 


314  MEMOIRS   OF 

Thus  we  have  by  means  of  his  respected  friend,  Dr 
Taylor,  a  minute  and  delightful  record  of  the  mental 
occupation  of  that  day  of  journeying. 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  315 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 


In  the  evening  of  tuesday  the  26th,  when  at  Wood- 
bury, he  wrote  the  charge  which  he  delivered  the  next 
day,  Wednesday  the  27th,  to  several  missionaries  who 
were  appointed  to  go  to  the  valley  of  the  Mississip- 
pi to  preach  the  Gospel  and  to  establish  a  college. 
He  said  himself  previously,  to  his  most  beloved  earth- 
ly friend,  "  I  could  do  better  extempore,  but  the  clergy 
may  think  there  is  a  want  of  respect  if  I  do  not 
write."  This  is  characteristic  of  his  deference  for 
the  feelings  of  others. 

On  thursday  the  28th  of  August,  when  he  arose  in 
the  morning,  Mr  Bruen  remarked  that  "  he  never  was 
so  well,  that  he  was  in  the  conscious  enjoyment  of  health, 
that  it  was  a  happiness  to  breathe."  A  part  of  that 
peaceful  day  he  occupied  with  his  then  happy  family, 
in  reading  aloud  about  Greece.  But  he  felt  indisposed 
in  the  night  and  during  the  following  day,  though  his 
tenderness  for  those  who  loved  him  induced  liim  to 
conceal  it,  as  on  Saturday  the  30th,  his  duty  to  his  flock 


316  MEMOIRS   OF 

called  him  back  to  the  city.  He  reached  home  in  the 
evening,  and  read  the  51st  psalm  at  worship,  with 
with  the  only  domestic  then  in  his  lonely  dweUing  ; 
and  prayed  in  his  family  for  the  last  time.  On  sab- 
bath morning,  his  heart  being  set  on  his  master's  bu- 
siness, he  resisted  incipient  sickness,  and  entered  the 
pulpit.  He  read  the  psalm,  made  the  short  prayer, 
and  began  the  first  chapter  of  John,  but  after  reading 
a  few  verses  he  stopped  and  requested  the  rev.  Mr 
Peters  to  proceed  with  his  duties.  In  a  little  time 
he  retired  from  the  church  to  IiIl  own  house,  a  brief 
Journey  to  be  retraced  by  him  no  more,  till  his  frame 
had  lost  the  principle  of  life,  and  was  reconveyed  to 
that  spot,  the  scene  of  so  many  solicitudes  and  pray- 
ers, to  wait  for  the  blessed  morning  of  the  resurrec- 
tion. 

He  had  immediate  medical  assistance,  and  on  mon- 
day  morning  seemed  quite  lively  and  active.  An  in- 
stance, characteristic  of  the  general  bent  of  his 
thoughts  may  here  be  mentioned.  The  domestic  who 
was  left  in  charge  of  the  house  during  the  absence  of 
the  family,  complained  to  him  with  some  anxiety,  that 
the  moths  were  injuring  a  portion  of  the  furniture. — 
**  Never  mind,"  he  replied  in  a  cheerful  tone,  "  we 
'Shall  all  be  ;eaten  by  moths  soon."  Though  he 
continued  unwell,  he  deemed  himself  recovering,  and 
6ven  on  Wednesday  did  not  send  to  hasten  the  return 
of  his  beloved  wife.  But  she,  having  learned  that  he 
was  not  well,  was  re-united  to  him  on  the  thursday 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN".  817 

morning.  During  the  agonizing  pain  wliich  he  endur- 
ed previous  to  her  arrival  he  congratulated  himself 
that  her  feelings  were  spared  the  witnessing  of  it.  But 
now  the  conflict  with  anguish  was  fast  thickening,  and 
the  solemn  hours  as  they  passed  away,  were  bringing 
nearer  to  his  contemplation  the  last  enemy  whom  he 
must  encounter.  The  hours  were  not  many  since  his 
health  was  so  complete  that  he  felt  it  "  a  happiness  to 
breathe."  His  plans  for  future  usefulness  had  embrac- 
ed years  to  come,  and  there  was  nothing  irrational  or 
presumptuous  in  the  calculation.  What  wonder  then, 
that  when  the  conviction  first  reached  his  soul  that 
these  agonies  must  bring  life  to  a  sudden  close,  he 
should  be  stunned,  as  if  his  God  had  not  accepted 
his  sacrifice.  What  wonder  that  he  should  exclaim, 
"  God  is  coming  in  darkness — Lord  have  mercy  upon 
my  soul."  If  the  actual  presence  of  death  be  start- 
hng  even  to  the  Christian  who  has  waited  his  ap- 
proach through  lingering  months  of  languor,  how 
much  more  to  him  who  was  in  the  prime  of  life,  of 
intellectual  might,  and  in  the  zenith  of  usefulness. 
But  as  his  respected  friend,  Dr  Skinner,  narrates  in 
the  sermon  occasioned  by  his  sudden  removal,  "qui- 
etness, and  assurance  of  spirit  soon  returned,  and 
gave  utterance  to  the  triumphant  verse, 

*'I'll  praise  my  Maker  with  my  breath; 
And  when  my  soul  is  lost  in  death," 

and  to  the  Psalmist's  effusion  of  confidence.     "Whom 

have  I  in  heaven  but  thee  1  and  there  is  none  on  earth 

I  desire  beside  thee." 


318  MEMOIRS   OF 

And  now,  when  his  minutes  on  earth  were  num- 
bered, when  there  might  be  much  to  feel  and  much  to 
arrange  for  his  beloved  ones,  and  when  his  natural 
delicacy  and  reserve  of  temperament  might  have  led 
him  to  desire  to  exclude  all  that  were  not  of  his  very 
bosom's  intimates,  the  new  nature  triumphed  beauti- 
fully in  him.  At  an  interval  of  rehef  from  surpassing 
suffering,  strength  was  given  him  to  speak,  and  they 
so  felt  the  worth  and  danger  of  souls,  and  were  so 
desirous  to  use  the  last  precious  occasion  of  doing 
good,  that  their  doors  were  thrown  open  to  all  who 
would  enter.  It  is  affecting  in  communicating  with 
with  those  who  loved  him,  to  observe  that  each  has  a 
parting  love  token,  some  words  of  admonition  as  a 
memorial  of  him  they  love ;  and  to  those  whom  he 
did  not  see,  he  sent  messages.  O  that  they  may  sink 
into  our  hearts,  that  he  may  be  honoured  to  build  up 
the  church  by  his  death,  even  more  than  in  his  life. 

To  one  he  said,  "Hold  on  M be  a  consistent 

christian,  and  then  though  you  are  poor  in  this  world, 
you  will  be  as  rich  as  any  princess  in  heaven."  Of 
another  he  said,  "  Tell  her  I  love  her,  I  am  sure  she 
will  be  saved,  and  we  shall  meet  if  I  am  saved."     Of 

another,  "  Say  to  brother  S ,  I  love  him,  I  have 

always  loved  him,  for  he  is  a  faithful  minister  of 
Christ."  To  one  dear  relative  of  whom  he  took 
dehght  to  converse  when  in  Scotland,  he  said,  im- 
printing at  the  same  time  his  farewell  kiss,  "  Had  I 
been  a  lively  christian,  you  might  have  been  a  chris- 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  ,319 

tian.  Be  a  christian  now,  and  preach  the  gospel. 
There  is  nothing  worth  hving  for  but  that."  To  each 
of  his  kindred,  he  sent  earnest  messages  of  love ;  and 
to  each  of  the  members  of  his  church — not  one  was 
overlooked.  lie  was  as  a  father  going  into  a  far 
country,  and  must  leave  a  word  of  advice  to  each  of 
his  precious  family.  To  one  he  said,  "  Be  saved  to- 
day; before  you  sleep  this  night  be  saved,  and  tell 
your  husband  to  be  saved.  J\ow  is  the  accepted 
time" — and  then  he  motioned  to  be  left  alone,  and  as 
he  cast  his  eyes  upward,  she  who  watched  his  every 
movement,  heard  him  say  many  words  in  a  low  tone, 
the  meaning  of  which  appeared  to  be,  "  If  /  have 
never  been  accepted,  7iow  is  the  accepted  time  for 
me." 

Of  his  children  he  said,  "  Bring  up  my  children  for 
God.  Be  strict  with  them  on  the  sabbath.  Tell 
them  it  is  beautiful  to  die,  when  one  dies  well — yes  it 
is  sweet  to  die" — surely  here  he  was  speaking  from 
his  present  experience  of  the  sweetness  of  death — a 
sweetness  which  neither  its  suddenness,  its  agonising 
pains,  nor  its  separating  him  from  those  to  whom  his 
most  affectionate  heart  was  knit,  could  diminish. 
Surely  we  may  take  up  the  exulting  words  of  the 
apostle  and  say,  "  thanks  be  to  God  who  gave  him 
the  victory  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ."  His 
neighbour  and  fellow  labourer,  the  Rev.  W.  Patton, 
asked  him   if  he  could  now  rest  his  soul  upon  the 

truths  which  he  had  urged    upon   his   people.      He 

2r 


320  MEMOIRS    OF 

replied,  *•  I  think  I  can,  but  Oh  that  I  had  been  a 
shining  and  devoted  minister  of  Christ.  If  God  will 
accept  the  poorest  and  most  wicked  of  all  his  crea- 
tures, then  I  may  be  saved."  It  was  asked  "  can  you 
cast  yourself  just  as  yon  are  on  the  merits  and  blood 
of  Jesus  ?  "     He  replied,  "  I  can,  I  can." 

Though  his  tortures  were  exquisite  (for  his  frame 
was  most  delicately  constructed,  and  capable  of 
keener  suffering  than  falls  to  the  lot  of  many,)  and 
though  he  was  not  capable  at  many  intervals,  of  ex- 
pressing himself  in  conversation,  his  faculties  did  not 
waver  till  within  a  few  hours  of  the  last,  and  even 
then,  during  the  wanderings  of  his  mind,  his  thoughts 
dwelt  on  the  cause  of  missions.  That  cause  lay  near 
his  heart,  and  to  his  associates  in  the  Home  Mis- 
sionary Society,  he  sent  a  brief  and  dying  message, 
which  will  not  be  forgotten  while  the  United  States 
have  hberty  of  conscience,  and  bosoms  that  swell 
with  pity  for  those  who  are  ignorant  and  out  of  the 
way.  "  Yours  is  a  great  work ;  the  work  of  God ; 
hold  on."  At  the  risk  of  repeating  what  has  been 
heard  by  many  we  would  present  a  passage  from  Dr 
Cox's  sermon,  entitled  "  Consolation  in  death,"  which 
was  delivered  to  a  crowded  and  mourning  audience 
while  the  remains  of  our  brother  lay  yet  uninterred 
in  his  church.  "  The  death-bed  of  Bruen  was  a  pri- 
vileged place.  I  bless  God  for  permitting  me  to  wit- 
ness it.  From  no  death-bed  did  I  ever  carry  away 
such  impressions.     When  all  the  strong  and  tender 


MATTHIAS    liRUEV.  321 

ties,  that  bound  liim  to  society,  were  mentally  sun- 
dered, by  the  sentence  of  the  physicians — though  ten- 
derly and  discreetly  announced  to  him — that  liis  death 
was  inevitable,  he  felt  the  unexpected  shock,  like 
what  it  was — a  summons  from  the  throne  of  God.  On 
my  coming  in  on  friday,  his  articulation  was  difficult ; 
but  his  speaking  eye,  beaming  with  a  full  intelligence 
that  never  left  him  but  with  life,  recognized  me ;  when 
he  said,  in  somewhat  broken  accents,  "  My  brother  1 " 
with  a  pause ;  "we  shall  meet,"  he  meant  to  say,  "  in 
heaven;"  and  [then  added,  "if  we  deserve  it;"  when 
perceiving  (for  he  ill  could  choose  his  language,)  that 
the  phrase  was  improper,  he  thus  corrected  it ;  "  if 
Christ  has  made  us  meet."  His  agonies  w^ere  "fear- 
ful," as  he  often  said ;  and  with  their  paroxysms,  his 
mind  so  sympathized,  that  for  long  intervals  he  could 
not  communicate  to  earthly  friends,  or  realize  the  con- 
solations of  a  Saviour's  presence.  He  would  then 
ejaculate,  "O  my  heavenly  Father ;  have  mercy  on 
my  poor  soul ;  my  poor  body ;  I  am  an  unworthy  sin- 
ner, and  my  God  is  coming  in  darkness."  Such  was 
the  spirituality  of  his  perceptions  ;  such  his  sense  of 
the  unsuffering  and  uncovered  hoHness  of  God,  into 
whose  presence  he  was  about  to  be  precipitated;  such 
his  utter  self-renouncement,  his  ingenuous  self- abhor- 
rence and  self-abasement;  such  his  humiliated  estimate 
of  his  services,  his  ministry,  and  his  motives ;  and  I 
may  add,  such  his  characteristic  self-diffidence  and 
unfeigned   humility,  always   thinking  "others  better 


322  MEMOIRS   OP 

than  himself" — in  which  I  need  not  say  to  you  that  he 
was  singular  in  his  judgment,  if  not  in  his  example — 
that  the  mighty  conception,  that  such  a  sinner  could 
be  "saved  in  Christ  Jesus  with  eternal  glory,"  was 
staggering  to  his  faith,  and  painful  to  his  hope,  and 
fleeting  for  a  time  to  his  grasp. 

One  prominent  characteristic  of  his  death-bed  was, 
agony  for  the  salvation  of  his  people  and  zeal 
for  the  conversion  of  souls.  Some  of  his  faithful 
charges  to  those  about  him,  will  never  be  forgotten. 
O  how  his  soul  travailed  in  birth,  my  dear  hearers, 
for  some  of  you ;  that  Christ  might  be  formed  in  you, 
"  the  hope  of  glory ! "  Ye  relatives,  ye  brothers,  ye 
friends,  will  ye  forget  his  death-bed  admonitions?  I  pray 
God  that  ye  may  never,  never,  forget  them !  If  ye  love 
him,  O  love  his  Saviour  too  !  I  am  merely  giving  to 
his  sentiments  the  utterance  of  my  lips,  w^hen  I  add 
"to-day,  now%  w^hile  it  is 'offered  to  you,  w^hile  it  is 
attainable  in  Christ,  this  instant,  turn  to  God,  give 
Him  your  affections  by  faith  in  His  w^ords,  and  take 
as  your  owm,  the  Salvationof  the  glorious  Gospel." 
To  his  people,  w^hose  souls  seemed  to  press  on  his 
anxieties,  he  sent  solemn  messages,  general  and 
particular.  He  seemed  deeply,  and  even  awfully 
impressed  w^ith  a  sense  of  the  difference,  that  too 
often  exists  in  fact,  betw^een  a  professor,  and  a  pos- 
sessor, of  the  grace  of  Christ.  He  wished  the  semi- 
christians  warned,  the  doubting  and  irresolute  re- 
solved; and  every  professor  to  have  as  it  w^ere  "in  his 


MATTHIAS    RRUEY.  323 

forehead"  the  legible  impress  of  crucifixion  to  the 
world,  and  of  glorying  in  its  nicdiuni — flic  cross  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  "Tell  them,  "said  he"  to  be 
thorough  christians,  decided,  sincere ;  for  death  will 
try  them."  He  was  afraid  that  some  of  his  church- 
members  would  be  lost;  and  this  evidently  agonised 
him  on  the  couch  of  death.  "O  tell  them,"  said  he, 
"that  I  hope  they  are  christians;  by  which  I  would  be 
understood  as  expressing  a  doubt  of  it" — his  solemn 
countenance  spoke  the  rest!  His  messages  and 
charges  were  most  discriminating  and  appropriate. 
I  will  add,  they  were  most  benevolent,  faithful, 
heavenly,  excellent.  But  you  know  this!  then  let  them 
be  appreciated.  Great  God !  O  sanctify  them  to  us 
all,  for  Jesus'  sake!  that  they  arise  not  up  in  judgment 
to  our  horrible  confusion  ! 

It  is  said  of  the  Elder  President  Edwards,  that 
having  settled  all  his  earthly  affairs,  when  he  was 
about  to  die,  he  bade  adieu  affectionately  to  all  his 
friends,  and  then  turning  from  all,  he  said,  "now 
where  is  Jesus  of  Nazareth!"  Our  departed  brother 
also,  having  despatched  all  other  business,  seemed  de- 
liberately to  withdraw  from  his  attendants,  that  he 
might  transact  the  solemnities  of  special  preparation 
with  his  God.  As  if  retiring,  and  bidding  us  farewell, 
he  said  to  me,  "I  die  in  peace  and  love  with  all  men." 
His  soul  gradually  acquired  a  tone  of  serenity  and  ac- 
quiescence, of  tender  and  collected  thought,  of  trust- 
ful, submissive,  and  devout  expectancy  in  God.     So 


324  MEMOIRS   OF 

high  was  his  general  estimate  of  the  Christian  char- 
acter; so  perfect  his  sense  of  perfect  responsibility;  so 
conscious  of  his  own  unworthiness,  and  of  the  inef- 
fable glory  of  heaven ;  so  lofty  his  conceptions  of  the 
dignity,  the  sublimity,  the  moral  grandeur,  of  those 
exalted  spirits  that  surround  the  throne  of  God 
Almighty  and  the  Lamb ;  so  unexpected,  formidable, 
sudden,  the  illapse  of  death ;  so  trying  so  irritating  so 
insuperable,  his  disease;  that,  while  we  nothing  wonder 
at  his  occasional  dread  of  death  and  fear  of  eternity, 
we  can  see  in  the  dispensation  a  light  in  the  darkness. 
As  it  is,  the  total  scene  is  invested  with  a  deeper 
awe,  a  more  appropriate  eloquence,  a  richer  and 
more  salutary  instruction  to  the  living." 

From  Dr  Skinner's  on  the  same  affecting  occasion, 
we  present  also  an  extract.  "His  thoughtful  affection 
did  not  confine  itself  to  the  friends  who  stood  around 
him.  It  was  generously  occupied  also,  about  those 
who  were  absent,  to  whom  he  sent  appropriate 
messages  of  his  constant  love.  And  how  did  this 
watchful  pastor  remember  in  his  death-season  the 
flock,  of  which  the  Great  Shepherd  had  given  him 
the  oversight? — in  the  well  evidenced  piety  of  some, 
expressing  his  warm  delight;  for  others,  trembling 
anxiety,|lest  they  come  short  of  the  promised  rest ; 
for  the  manifestly  unconverted  "  travailing  in  birth," 
that  Christ  might  be  formed  within  them ;  for  all, 
leaving  his  affectionate  charges  and  valedictions. — 
And  the  care,  not  only  of  his  own  people,  but  of  the 


MATTHIAS    BKUEX.  325 

universal  church,  was  not  now  absent  from  the  mind 
of  this  hbcrahzcd  and  Jargc-hearted  man  of  God. 
You  all  knew  how  he  had  laboured  for  the  further- 
ance of  the  gospel  throughout  the  length  and  breadth 
of  his  own  country ;  it  was  his  dying  message  to  the 
Committee  of  Home  Missions  in  this  city — "  Yours  is 
a  great  work  ;  the  work  of  God ;  hold  on." — He  gave 
directions  as  to  his  funeral  service ;  but  herein  also 
discovered  the  loftiness  of  the  ascendant  feehng  in 
his  death.  He  w^anted  nothing  said  about  himself 
but  what  would  be  of  useful  tendency  to  others :  he 
was  afraid,  so  low  was  his  estimate  of  his  own  piety, 
that  to  panegyrize  him  as  a  saint,  would  but  leave 
sinners  less  impressed  with  the  necessity  of  those 
agonising  exertions  which  all  men  must  make  to  be 
saved ;  and  he  seemed  to  think  also,  that  a  discourse 
suited  to  excite  tender  and  mournful  emotions,  when 
such  emotions  were  likely  to  be  sufficiently  awakened 
by  the  occasion,  would  tend  rather  to  prevent  than 
promote  those  pecuhar  convictions  of  sin  and  ruin, 
which  ordinarily  precede  true  evangehcal  repentance 
and  faith.  "Don't  make  me  out  a  saint,"  he  said, 
"  for  that  would  be  the  way  to  ruin  souls."  "  Don't 
preach  a  gloomy  sermon,  but  make  heaven  seem 
brighter  than  the  world."  Nor  was  this  noble  zeal 
for  the  good  of  souls  and  the  glory  of  God,  unat- 
tended by  conscious  peace  and  confidence  in  respect 
to  his  own  eternal  state.  "  I  die,"  he  said,  "  in  peace 
and  love  with  all  mankind." — He  was  asked,  in  an 
interval  of  comparative  rest  from  bodily  anguish,  and 


326  MEMOIRS   or 

when  very  near  the  farthest  limit  of  the  dark  valley 
he  was  treading,  whether  he  could  give  his  attention 
during  a  short  devotional  exercise  ;  and  having  given 
an  affirmative  answer,  the  following  scriptures  were 
distinctly  repeated.  "  I  am  the  resurrection  and  the 
life ;  he  that  believeth  in  me,  though  he  were  dead, 
yet  shall  he  live,  and  he  that  liveth  and  believeth  in 
me  shall  never  die.  Believest  thou  this?'  "  There 
is  no  condemnation  to  them  which  are  in  Christ 
Jesus,  who  walk  not  after  the  flesh,  but  after  the 
spirit.  For  the  law  of  the  spirit  of  life  in  Christ 
Jesus  hath  made  me  free  from  the  law  of  sin  and 
death.  For  what  the  law  could  not  do  in  that  it  was 
weak  through  the  flesh,  God  sendmg  His  own  Son  in 
the  likeness  of  sinful  flesh,  and  for  sin,  condemned 
sin  in  the  flesh,  that  the  righteousness  of  the  law 
might  be  fulfilled,  in  us  who  walk  not  after  the  flesh 
but  after  the  spirit. "-"For  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings 
of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared 
with  the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed  in  us."  "  Be- 
loved, now  are  we  the  sons  of  God,  and  it  doth  not 
yet  appear  what  we  shall  be,  but  we  know  that  when 
He  shall  appear,  we  shall  be  like  Him,  for  we  shall 
see  Him  as  He  is."  "For  this  corruptible  shall  put 
on  incorruption,  and  this  mortal  shall  put  on  immor- 
tahty:  so  when  this  corruptible  shall  have  put  on 
incorruption,  and  this  mortal  shall  have  put  on  im- 
mortality, then  shall  be  brought  to  pass  the  saying 
which  is  written.  Death  is  swallowed  up  fn  victory. 
O  death  where  is  thy  sting!  O  grave  where  is  thy 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  327 

victory !  The  sting  of  death  is  sin,  and  the  strenr^th 
of  sin  is  the  law.  But  thanks  be  to  God,  who  givcth 
us  the  victory  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." — He 
had  been  profoundly  still,  and  remaining  so,  the 
speaker  was  doubtful  whether  he  had  been  understood 
and  said,  "did  you  hear  me  my  brother  ?  "  "I  heard 
and  loved  it — every  word." — "Is  your  mind  at  rest?" 
"Yes,  I  have  a  calm  peace  within."  Then,  after 
tenderly  embracing  his  near  relatives,  and  addressing 
them  in  a  manner  never  to  be  forgotten,  prayer  was 
made  until  he  became  fatigued.  The  process  of  dying 
now  proceeded  rapidly  on,  and  nothing  more  was  said 
or  done,  that  could  be  considered  as  indicating  the 
thoughts  and  feelings  of  his  heart. 

So  died  our  lamented  friend — a  death  how  charac- 
teristic of  the  man  ;  how  consistent  with  his  life." 

On  the  6th  of  December  1829,  in  the  37th  year  of 
his  age,  just  as  the  dawn  was  ushering  in  the  first  day 
of  the  week,  were  his  labours  and  sufferings  consum- 
mated. And  now  we  rejoice  to  believe  that  he  dwells 
in  the  presence  of  Him,  whom  not  having  seen  he 
loved.  Now  he  is  in  the  full  blaze  of  the  light  which 
proceeds  from  the  Lamb.  Can  we  wish  him  back 
again  in  this  dark  world?  The  delicate  sensibility 
which  made  him  susceptible  of  suffering  here,  now 
only  increases  his  capabilities  of  happiness.  He  has 
lost  none  of  the  peculiarities  of  his  character.  He  is 
the  same  man,  made  perfect,  and  in  that  bright  light 
which  shines  upon  him,  not  one  of  the  traces  we  loved 
can  be  hidden.  2  s 


328  MEMOIRS  OF 


CHAPTER   XXV. 

In  Mr  Bruen's  private  character  there  seemed  to 
remain  less  of  dross,  than  is  almost  always  found  even 
in  those  who  have  much  of  the  pure  gold  of  Christi- 
anity.   It  is  common  to  trace,  or  imagine  we  can 
trace,  some  peculiarity  in  the  external  circumstances, 
which  might  have  elicited  good  qualities,  and  subdued 
evil.  But  in  the  early  life  of  Mr  Bruen,  there  is  nothing 
which  might  not  have  produced  qualities  the  very 
reverse    of  those  by   which   he    was  distinguished. 
For  example,  his  sojourn  with  his  grandfather  from 
his  seventh  year  to   his  fifteenth,  while  it  led  a  mind 
like  his  to  seek  occupation  in  books  and  contempla- 
tion, for  lack  of  associates  of  his  own  age,  might  also 
have  rendered  him  morose  and  uncommunicative ;  or 
as  the  only  and  much  caressed  child  of  this  aged 
parent,  he  might  have  imbibed  habits  of  selfishness, 
which  would  have  tinctured  all  his  life.     But  in  truth 
he  was  distinguished  for  flexibility  of  feeling.     His 
heart  was  as  a  many  chorded  instrument,  which  res- 
ponds to  every  touch.    We  have  seen  him  dry  his 
own  tears  that  he  might  smile  in  the  happiness  of  oth- 


MATTHIAS   BRUEN.  329 

ers ;  and  we  have  seen  his  usual  expression  of  benev- 
olent tranquility  vanish  like  a  meteor,  under  the  influ- 
ence of  a  look  of  anxiety  from  a  friend.  It  has  not 
been  our  lot  to  meet  with  any  one  more  truly  gene- 
rous ;  and  that  which  he,  in  reviewing  his  early  life, 
termed  selfishness,  would  have  formed  the  liberality  of 
the  generality  of  youths. 

Again — During  his  first  visit  in  riper  years  to,  Eu- 
rope, when,  after  becoming  separated  from  his  rever- 
ed and  loved  Dr  Mason,  no  outward  restraint  was  left, 
and  temptation  was  urging  itself  upon  him,  in  its  thou- 
sand nameless  blandishments,  it  might  have  been  an- 
ticipated that  his  ideas  of  good  and  evil  and  his  moral 
conduct  might  have  been  relaxed.  The  very  reverse, 
however,  was  the  result ;  and  feehng  himself  in  a  land 
of  pits  and  snares,  he  learned  to  walk  more  circum- 
spectly, and  to  shun  every  appearance  of  evil.  A 
friend  who  feared  he  might  have  suffered  loss  in  spir- 
itual things,  inquired  of  him,  half  ironically,  if  he  felt 
he  had  any  habits  to  change  now  that  he  was  come 
from  gay  France,  to  resume  his  character  of  American 
minister  in  sober  Scotland.  His  reply  was  a  vocal 
burst  of  indignation,  which  no  letters  can  convey.  But 
observing  the  looks  of  the  investigator  resting  on  him 
still  inquiringly,  tears  flowed  from  his  eyes.  There 
followed  a  most  interesting  conversation,  in  which, 
after  a  first  expression  of  grief  at  seeming  to  be  sus- 
pected, he  unfolded  the  sources  of  his  safety,  and  his 
various  exercises  of  what  must  have  been  strong  self- 


330  MEMOIRS   OF 

denial  to  a  mind  inquisitive  like  his,  in  a  strain  of  gen- 
uine simplicity  and  sincerity,  which  excited  admira- 
tion in  the  friends  who  were  then  but  beginning  to 
form  acquaintance  with  his  character. 

The  earHest  portion  of  his  years  does  not  seemto 
have  been  his  happiest.  There  was  about  him  an  un- 
usual thoughtfulncss,  adverse  to  tranquility  of  mind, 
till  tempered  by  a  growing  experience  of  the  govern- 
ment of  God,  and  the  general  course  of  life.  And  such 
a  heart  as  his,  young  as  he  was,  required  more  to  oc- 
cupy and  soothe  it,  than  this  world  has  to  give.  He 
always  had  a  remarkably  tender  conscience,  which 
kept  him  from  those  sins  of  youth  which  so  often  shut 
out  the  Holy  Spirit  in  His  first  strivings.  At  ten  years 
he  wept  bitterly,  and  asked  what  he  should  do  to  be 
saved,  and  from  that  time  till  he  was  eighteen,  he  did 
not  cease  to  feel  the  pressure  of  the  obligations  of  the 
divine  Law.  As  a  proof  of  this  there  was  a  shade  of 
thoughtful  sadness  in  his  countenance  which  became 
less  and  less  marked  every  year,  as  it  gradually  yielded 
to  the  beaming  of  that  peace  which  the  Saviour  gives 
to  "his  disciples.  His  childhood  was  not  marked  by 
any  striking  incidents,  except  one  or  two  hair-breadth 
escapes,  which  he  used  to  relate  with  expressions  of 
gratitude  to  the  Providence  that  preserved  him.  One 
of  these,  his  falling  in  the  twilight  into  a  cistern,  where, 
had  he  not  been  instantly  rescued,  he  must  have  been 
drowned,  is  peculiarly  worthy  of  notice,  as  it  occurred 
about  his  tenth  year,  and  was  in  his  own  mind  re- 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  331 

motely  connected  with  the  soHcitudc  about  the  state 
of  his  soul,  which  originated  about  the  same  period. 
His  love  of  reading  was  very  great.  At  six  years  of 
age  he  would  lock  himself  alone  in  a  room  lest  he 
should  be  disturbed.  Through  all  his  youth  there  was 
the  same  marked  individuality  of  character,  the  same 
dignity,  the  same  beauty,  the  same  confidence,  the 
same  reserve,  the  same  boldness  and  sensitiveness, 
the  same  honesty  of  heart,  the  same  freedom  from  any 
thing  politic  or  mancEUvering. 

Of  filial  reverence,  even  after  his  own  understand- 
ing was  matured,  and  the  time  for  implicit  obedience 
was  past,  he  w^as  a  lovely  example.  Those  who  have 
heard  him  speak  of  the  will  of  his  parent,  when  half 
the  globe  divided  them,  and  have  heard  his  plans 
formed  in  reference  to  what  he  deemed  "  his  father  " 
would  wish  him  to  accomplish,  know  how  he  honored 
him  even  in  things,  the  omission  of  which  could  never 
have  been  remarked  by  the  parent  himself. 

Of  his  fraternal  character  also  we  must  speak. 
How  has  he  in  earlier  years  delighted  to  select  and 
set  fourth  the  bright  points  of  character  of  those  of 
his  own  house,  and  to  compute  what  they  were  capa- 
ble of  becoming.  One  who  knew  the  secrets  of  his 
heart  knows  how  in  Scotland  he  set  apart  times  to 
make  prayer  for  them,  and  how  he  did  so  with  many 
tears. — And  even  when  advancing  life,  and  crowding 
occupations  severed  him  from  his  family,  yet  in  a  cor- 
respondence of  years  they  failed  not  to  form  an  affect- 


332  MEMOIRS   OF 

ing  portion  of  his  subjects.  He  ever  rejoiced  in  any 
token  for  their  good,  and  mourned  if  his  hopes  were 
quelled. 

As  a  husband  and  as  a  father — alas,  we  cannot  speak, 
for  the  bereaved  ones  to  whom  he  stood  in  these  most 
endearing  of  human  ties  have  lost  him,  and  are  left 
in  the  world  alone.  Let  those  who  know  any  thing 
of  human  character,  infer  what  he  was  in  these  re- 
lations, who  was  so  lovely  in  those  of  son,  brother 
and  friend !  They  cannot  go  beyond  the  reality. 

There  were  very  few  whom  he  took  into  his  bosom- 
intimacy  ;  but  to  them  his  affection  was  ardent  and 
abiding,  and  his  confidence  unbounded.  His  benev- 
olence was  alike  warm  and  diffusive,  and  knew  no 
limit  when  it  could  operate  to  the  elevation,  encour- 
agement and  relief  of  others.  His  reverence  for  holi- 
ness in  the  creature,  was  such  that  he  would  overlook 
some  traits  from  which  his  natural  taste  would  have 
otherwise  revolted,  when  he  saw,  or  imagined  he  saw, 
the  image  of  God  stamped  on  their  souls.  There  is 
no  record  of  the  progress  of  his  mind  while  at  college. 
One  Uttle  incident  in  the  closing  scene  of  his  studies 
may  be  named  as  an  evidence  how  he  acquitted  him- 
self, and  as  a  specimen,  among  many,  of  the  effect 
produced  by  his  pleasing  aspect  and  demeanor.  Dr 
SilUman,  Professor  of  Chemistry  and  Mineralogy  in 
Yale  College,  happened  to  be  at  the  Commencement  * 

*  The  same  with  our  Commemoration  in  England. 


MATTHIAS   BRUEN.  333 

of  Columbia  College,  when  Mr  Bruen  was  graduated. 
There  was  in  his  appearance  and  the  whole  perform- 
ance so  much  dignity  and  beauty,  that  the  Professor 
frequently  spoke  of  him,  after  his  return  home.  He 
knew  nothing  more  of  him  than  these  few  hours  told 
him,  and  when  he  spoke  of  him,  he  generally  express- 
ed a  wish  to  know  him  more.  Many  years  after, 
when  Mr  Bruen  was  passing  through  New  Haven  he 
was  introduced  to  the  Professor  who  on  his  return 
homo  exclaimed  to  Mrs  Silliman,  "I  have  found  out 
my  young  man  at  last !  '* 

His  later  occupations  were  so  various,  his  exer- 
tions so  intense,  and  his  relaxation  so  entirely  of  a 
domestic  character,  that  it  required  such  an  event  as 
his  sudden  removal,  to  reveal  how  highly  he  was  esti- 
mated by  theAmerican  public.  He  claimed  so  little 
for  himself  and  was  ever  so  ready  to  prefer  others 
in  honour,  that  he  seemed  likely  to  be  thoroughly 
known  and  appreciated  only  by  a  few.  It  is  grateful 
to  the  feelings  of  those  who  love  him,  to  find  that  he 
was  valued  as  he  ought  to  be.  Though  we  shrink,  as 
he  would  have  shrunk,  from  publishing  much  on  this 
subject,  and  though  he  needs  not  testimonials  of  cha- 
racter from  man,  we  venture  to  insert  a  letter  from 
Professor  Stuart  to  Mrs  Bruen,  honourable  to  the 
Professor  as  to  the  departed,  and  evincing  his  reputa- 
tion as  a  scholar,  no  less  than  as  a  christian  and  as  a 
friend. 


334  MEMOIRS   OF 

From  Moses  Stuart. 

Andover  Theol.  Sem. 

My  dear  Madam, 

I  cannot  by  any  words  convey  to  you  the  anguish 
of  my  heart  on  account  of  the  loss  of  your  excellent 
husband.  Never,  if  I  except  the  death  of  Dr  Dv^ight 
alone,  did  I  experience  sorrow  or  feel  bereavement  so 
great,  as  when  the  news  came  of  his  death.  In  all 
the  vigour  of  manhood,  with  his  judgment,  memory, 
understanding,  heart,  all  cultivated  to  a  high  degree  ; 
beloved  of  all,  respected  of  all,  looking  forward  to  an 
influence  in  the  church,  subordinate  to  that  of  no  other 
man  in  our  country — a  dear  friend  to  me — -O  the  recol- 
lection overcomes  me  to  tears,  and  I  dare  not  proceed 
to  call  up  your  sorrows  afresh,  by  pouring  out  mine. 
What  Beza  said  when  Calvin  died,  I  can  now  truly 
say,  "Now  is  life  less  sweet  and  death  less  bitter.'* 
Never  did  I  feel  a  more  melancholy  hour  in  looking 
over  the  future  prospects  of  the  church  in  our  coun- 
try, than  that  which  succeeded  the  tidings  of  Mr 
Bruen's  death.  And  to  this  moment  the  revival  of  the 
same  feeling  is  frequent,  and  now  and  then  overcomes 
me  even  to  weakness.  But  peace!  I  loved  the  dear 
man  too  much,  and  calculated  too  much  on  his  impor- 
tance. This,  I  suppose,  was  your  fault  too,  and  God 
in  his  mercy  to  us  has  removed  him  from  us  both.  I 
do  not  pretend  to  compare  my  loss  with  yours.  This 
would  be  only  to  mock  your  grief;  but  I  do  say  that 
however  well  you  loved  him  as  a  husband,  as  a  friend 


MATTHIAS  BRUEN.  335 

and  minister  of  the  Gospel,  I  cannot  allow  that  you 
have  a  higher  regard  for  his  memory  than  myself  I 
feel  that  the  church  is  as  it  were  widowed  as  well  as 
you.  Thy  ways,  O  God!  are  unsearchable,  thy  judg- 
ments past  finding  out. 

Never  did  1  feel  that  all  the  powers  of  my  soul 
needed  to  be  called  forth  and  employed  in  the  prac- 
tice of  submission,  more  than  in  respect  to  this  event. 
Even  with  regard  to  Dr  Dwight  there  was  a  differ- 
ence here — his  sun  was  declining,  but  that  of  my 
dear  brother  and  your  husband  w^as  only  rising  to- 
wards its  meridian  splendour. — "It  is  the  Lord,  let  him 
do  what  seemeth  to  him  good."  This  is  all  I  can  say — 
I  sat  down  to  write  you  a  letter  of  consolation,  and  I 
am  aggravating  your  sorrows  by  pouring  out  my 
own.  That  Mr  Bruen  is  gone  to  a  world  of  peace 
and  joy  is  what  we  both  beHeve ;  our  loss  is  his  gain. 
But  then  as  he  was  ripe  for  heaven  here,  so  he  was 
on  this  very  account,  the  more  useful,  and  his  stay 
among  us  the  more  to  be  desired.  I  cannot  think  of 
it  without  again  whetting  the  paper  w^ith  my  tears  as  I 
write.  Who  shall  fill  his  place  ?  My  dear  Madam, 
he  was  a  prominent  candidate  for  a  place  in  our  semi- 
nary: with  all  our  hearts,  should  we  have  welcomed 
him  here,  and  had  he  been  better  known  to  all  our 
Trustees  he  would  have  been  chosen  earlier.  Had 
he  lived  until  September  was  past,  I  believe  he  would 
have  been  our  Professor.     "Help,  Lord,  for  the  godly 

faileth,  the  faithful  fail  from  among  the  children  of 

2t 


336  MEMOIRS   OF 

men" — How  can  I  forbear  to  use  this  most  appropri- 
ate language  of  the  Psalmist. 

May  the  God  and  judge  of  the  widow,  the  Father 
of  the  fatherless,  grant  you  that  peace,  that  filial 
submission,  that  quiet  resignation,  which  will  be  more 
and  better  consolation  than  I,  or  all  the  world  can 
give !  Such  is  the  sincere  and  fervent  prayer  of 
Your  sincere  friend, 

Moses  Stuart. 

At  one  period  of  his  life,  when  his  natural  activity 
was  too  much  without  guide  and  stimulus,  he  accused 
himself  of  constitutional  indolence.  But  his  subse- 
quent exertions  have  proved  that  if  he  were  indolent, 
it  was  from  the  want  of  motive,  and  not  from  the  ab- 
sence of  energy.  When  at  last  he  found  congenial 
spirits,  how  did  his  soul  expand  and  dilate  in  the 
higher  moral  and  intellectual  delights.  And  when  he 
could  perceive  openings  for  useful  exertion  in  the 
spread  of  the  gospel,  with  what  ingenuity  did  he  de- 
vise the  means,  with  what  skill  did  he  put  them  in 
train,  with  what  business-like  accuracy  did  he  fix  his 
mind  to  the  details,  with  what  exhaustless  industry 
did  he  attend  to  them  all. 

Those  who  were  acquainted  only  with  the  gentle- 
ness, refinement,  and  literary  taste,  which  were  his 
predominant  characteristics,  a  few  years  before,  may 
well  wonder  at  his  dexterity  in  business,  and  his 
acuteness  in  selecting  every  point  which  could  aid 


MATTHIAS    BRUEN.  337 

his  object.  How  much  that  seemed  remote  from  his 
original  character,  had  he  acquired  and  brought  to 
bear  on  the  service  of  the  church ;  how  firm  and  in- 
flexible when  he  knew  he  was  rii^ht ;  how  in2:enuous 
if  he  felt  he  was  mistaken ;  how  docile  when  it  was 
only  matters  of  taste  which  he  was  required  to  sacri- 
fice ;  how  indignant  at  the  appearance  of  chicane  and 
duplicity;  how  placable  to  the  infirmities  of  those 
whom  he  deemed  sincere  !  His  energy,  his  fortitude, 
his  holy  indignation  against  aberrations  from  the  on- 
ward course  of  integrity  in  those  from  whom  he  had 
a  right  to  expect  better  things,  did  not  diminish  in  the 
least  his  tenderness,  his  sympathy,  his  always  watch- 
ful care  for  the  feelings  of  others.  There  are  men 
who  are  kind,  considerate,  sympathizing ;  yet  occa- 
sionally disappointing,  forgetful,  indolent,  selfish  ;  but 
those  who  knew  him  best,  and  knew  him  longest, 
cannot  point  out  the  moment  when  Mr  Bruen  put  his 
ow^n  ease  before  the  convenience  of  his  neighbour,  or 
his  own  estimate  of  himself  above  that  of  his  fellow. 

Possessing  such  qualities,  with  extensive  influence, 
he  seemed  entirely  void  of  ambition ;  that  is,  ambition 
in  its  selfish  characteristics.  If  he  w^ere  eager  to  do 
well,  it  was  that  his  cause  might  succeed,  not  that 
himself  might  be  admired.  If  he  were  desirous  to 
accomplish  a  plan,  and  exerted  influence  in  it,  it  was 
not  for  the  pleasure  of  feeling  his  power  and  his  influ- 
ence ;  it  was  that  he  might  do  good.  Still  he  cared 
for  the  love  and  approbation  of  others,  and  no  one's 


338  MEMOIRS   OF 

happiness  depends  more  upon  these  than  his  did.  But 
nevertheless,  he  would  hazard  all  that  he  loved  in  a 
friend,  rather  than  make  a  timid  compromise  Vi^ith 
conscience,  and  pass  by  his  faults  without  admonition. 
As  Dr  Skinner  has  beautifully  said,  "  He  was  intimate 
in  the  higher  classes  of  society,  to  whom  in  some  in- 
stances, he  privately  evinced  an  intrepidity  of  reproof 
which  shewed  them  that  he  valued  their  souls  more 
than  their  friendship.  He  would  sunder  even  the 
bonds  of  private  affection  sooner  than  those  of  mo- 
rality. It  is  easy  to  condemn  sin  in  a  multitude,  but 
he  would  condemn  it  in  an  individual,  and  to  that  in- 
dividual by  himself"  *  He  was  truly  generous,  and 
this  trait  shone  in  trifles,  ns  well  as  in  matters  of 
weight ;  not  only  in  the  noiseless  oflices  of  mercy  to 
the  indigent,  but  in  the  nobility  of  his  feelings  in  his 
estimate  of  others.  "He  was  fond  to  a  habit  of 
acknowledging  his  obligations  and  rendering  to  all 
their  due."  Instances  of  an  opposite  kind  in  others, 
ingenuously  grieved,  as  well  as  deeply  disgusted 
him.  To  acknowledge  obligation,  however,  is  a 
pleasing  duty,  and  one  that  is  performed  by  many 
who  have  not  yet  attained  to  the  acknowledgment  of 
their  faults.  This  last,  a  fruit  of  genuine  humihty  and 
integrity  of  mind,  existed  in  Mr  Bruen  to  a  most  pow- 
erful degree.  So  long  ago  as  the  autumn  of  1818, 
when  in  the  west  of  Scotland,  he  was  led  into  a  hot 

*  Dr  Skinner's  sermon  page  35. 


MATTHIAS    BRUEV.  339 

debate  with  the  editor  of  a  periodical  work,  in  refer- 
ence to  a  political  character.  Though  at  the  time 
convinced  of  the  correctness  of  his  judgment,  he  was 
unhappy  for  having  suffered  himself  to  become  irrita- 
ted, and  often  alluded  to  it  with  regret.  Ten  years 
had  passed  away,  and  this  small  delinquency  had 
passed  from  the  minds  of  all  present,  when  a  further 
development  of  the  character  who  was  the  subject  of 
discussion  had  proved  that  Mr  Bruen's  judgment  of 
him  had  been  incorrect,  and  at  that  distance  of  time, 
he  once  more  by  letter  referred  to  the  argument,  once 
more  apologized,  and  with  double  energy,  being  now 
convinced  that  his  antagonist  was  in  the  right. 

His  zeal,  patience,  vigilance,  and  prudence,  in  per- 
forming the  duties  of  a  Christian  Pastor,  are  fully 
known  to  those  among  whom  he  laboured,  and  whom 
he  gathered,  by  the  most  disinterested  exertions,  from 
the  multitude.  If  there  existed  no  other  evidence  of 
it ;  his  tender  concern,  his  ceaseless  watchfulness,  his 
longing  after  their  souls,  is  fully  evinced  by  the  partial 
extracts  from  his  letters  in  the  preceding  pages.  Did 
dehcacy  permit,  those  letters  could  furnish  proof  that 
he  dwelt  on  individual  characters  with  parental  affec- 
tion, and  delineated  christian  traits  in  such  a  way  as 
shewed  that  he  studied  each  member  of  his  flock  for 
their  good,  and  "  was  gentle  among  them,  even  as  a 
nurse  cherisheth  her  children."  But  there  is,  we  trust, 
a  holier  record  than  that  of  his  pen  written  in  the  hearts 
of  his  spiritual  children,  and  a  more  enduring  evidence 


340  MEMOIRS   OF 

of  his  watching  for  their  souls  will  be  found  in  their 
meeting  him  again  in  the  blessed  presence  of  their  Re- 
deemer and  his. 


MATTHIAS  BRUEN.  94h 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 


We  gladly  embrace  the  privilege  of  presenting  a 
sketch  of  a  portion  of  Mr  Bruen's  Missionary  occu- 
pations, from  the  pen  of  his  friend  and  successor  in 
the  Secretaryship  of  the  American  Home  Missionary 
Society,  the  Rev.  Absalom  Peters. 

It  is  addressed  to  Mrs  Bruen,  and  dated 

New  York,  March  11th,  1830. 
Dear  Madam, 

Your  beloved  and  lamented  husband's  connexion 
with  the  American  Home  Missionary  Society,  is 
associated  in  my  own  recollection,  with  the  intima- 
cies of  an  endeared  personal  friendship,  which  has 
given  to  his  death  the  character  of  a  real  bereave- 
ment, such  as  my  heart  in  some  degree  of  sympathy 
with  your  own,  does  not  cease  to  feel;  while  in  com- 
mon with  all  his  associates  in  labour,  I  derive  a  most 
grateful  satisfaction  from  reflecting  on  the  life  of  one 


343  MEMOIRS  or 

whose  counsels  and  labours,  in  so  short  a  time,  ac- 
complished so  much. 

Mr  Bruen  felt  that  he  had  much  to  do,  and  often 
expressed  his  deep  sense  of  the  accumulated  respon- 
sibilites  of  a  christian  and  christian  minister,  in  this 
age  of  the  world.  By  his  travels  and  his  extended 
personal  acquaintance  in  Europe,  as  well  as  in  this 
country,  the  field  of  his  sympathies  was  enlarged  be- 
yond that  of  most  of  his  brethren.  He  knew  more  ac- 
curately than  most  of  us,  the  condition  of  the  family  of 
man,  and  had  so  learned  Christ  as  to  make  it  a  senti- 
ment of  his  heart,  that  all  men  are  brethren,  and  that 
every  christian  is  bound  to  do  w^hat  he  can  for  the 
conversion  of  the  whole  world,  while  the  warmth  of  his 
piety  and  the  versatiHty  of  his  mind,  prepared  him  to 
embrace  with  eagerness  and  discrimination,  every 
well  devised  plan  of  philanthropic  effort.  Thus 
constrained  by  the  principle  that  governed  him,  tc* 
live  for  noble  ends,  he  had  also  an  industry  and  a  fa- 
cility in  execution  which  few  possess.  His  body,  like 
his  mind,  was  characteristically  active.  Of  him  it 
was  peculiarly  true,  that  his  piety  did  not  waste  itselt 
in  mere  good  wishes  and  intentions.  His  hand  was 
ready  and  quick  to  accomplish  what  his  heart  de- 
sired, and  the  rapidity  of  his  conceptions  and  the  ea'.-e 
with  which  he  was  accustomed  to  reduce  his  own  and 
the  thoughts  of  others  to  form,  rendered  his  services 
invaluable  in  the  executive  business  of  the  church  and 
of  benevolent  associations.     He   had,   accordingly, 


MATTHIAS  BRUEX.  343 

much  to  do  in  the  transactions  of  the  several  religiou« 
societies  with  wliich  he  was  connected  in  this  city. 
He  regarded  them  all  as  kindred  institutions,  and  with 
equal  cordiality,  gave  his  services  to  each  as  he  had  op- 
portunity. I  shall  not  dwell  upon  the  estimation  in  which 
he  was  held  bythose  who  acted  with  him  in  the  Bible, 
Tract,  Sabbath-School,  Education  and  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Societies,  and  especially  in  the  more  recently 
formed  Committee  on  behalf  of  ill-fated  Greece.  In  all 
of  these  institutions  he  bore  his  part  with  an  activity 
and  dcvotedness  which  identified  their  responsibilities 
with  his  own,  and  rendered  his  death  a  bereavement, 
as  his  life  had  been  a  blessing  to  them  all.  But  my  own 
impressions  of  his  worth  forbid  me  to  withhold  this 
passing  tribute  to  the  memory  of  one,  the  loss  of 
whose  counsels  and  prayers  I  feel  the  more,  because 
he  was  a  brother  of  enlarged  and  liberal  views,  the 
goings-forth  of  whose  benevolence  could  be  confined 
to  no  single  channel. 

The  providence  of  God,  however,  had  marked 
him  out  for  a  field  of  still  greater  and  peculiar 
efficiency  in  another  department  of  benevolent  eflfort. 
He  returned  from  Europe  with  a  freshness  of  interest  in 
whatever  plans  had  been  devised  to  elevate  the  charac- 
ter and  extend  the  religious  influence  of  his  native  coun- 
try; and  of  these,  one  of  the  first  which  attracted  his 
zealous  attention,  was  the  entcrprize  of  Home  Mis- 
sions. He  was  able  to  estimate  the  advantages 
afforded  to  the  churches  of  this  country  for  such  an 
2u 


344  MEMOIRS  OF 

enterprizc,  above  those  possessed  in  any  other.  He 
therefore  regarded  with  deep  interest  the  beginnings 
which  had  ah'eady  been  made,  and  having  himself 
engaged  in  the  labours  of  a  Missionai^  in  this  city, 
his  qualifications  for  extended  usefulness,  as  a  practical 
man,  soon  began  to  be  appreciated  by  the  friends  of 
the  cause. 

And  though  he  was  compelled  by  the  increasing 
responsibilities  of  his  parochial  charge,  to  resign  his 
office,  the  results  of  his  labours  have  evinced  that 
the  high  estimate  which  the  Committee  formed  of  his 
service  was  not  false.  Itwas  in  the  above  office  that  Mr 
B.  found  himself  at  the  centreof  a  moral  machine,  which 
he  foresaw,  if  sufficiently  extended,  might  be  wrought 
with  incalculable  advantage  in  promoting  a  cause 
identified  with  the  best  interests  of  men.  Being  at 
once  a  member  and  the  official  organ  of  the  Execu- 
tive Committee,  in  common  with  his  intelligent  asso- 
ciates, he  set  himself  to  mature  a  new  and  improved 
plan  of  Missions,  which,  without  discarding  altogether 
the  former  custom  of  itinerancy,  within  defined  limits, 
should  bestow  its  principal  aid  on  feeble  congrega- 
tions in  support  of  settled  Pastors  or  stated  supplies 
chosen  by  the  people,  keeping  steadily  in  view,  as  its 
ultimate  object,  the  permanent  establishment  of  the 
preached  gospel  in  places  which  might  otherwise  re- 
main destitute.  In  the  language  of  his  First  Re- 
port, "If  the  Millenium  be  within  175  years  of  us,  as 
many,  not  without  reason,  sanguinely  hope,  we,  if  our 


MATTHIAS    RRUEN.  345 

life  be  a  little  prolonged,  are  soon  to  sec  greater 
things  than  the  last  (juarter  of  a  century  has  unfold- 
ed, which,  in  themselves  arc  wonders." 

Alas!  Dear  Brother!  "////Ze,"  indeed,  was  his  life 
"prolonged;"  yet,  in  that  little  period,  he  saw  accom- 
plished all  that  he  had  predicted.  In  three  years  and 
four  7no7iths  from  the  organization  of  the  Society  in 
its  national  form,  he  had  seen  it  sustaining  from  four 
to  five  hundred  different  Missionaries,  and  aiding 
from  five  to  six  hundred  congregations  in  their  sup- 
port; the  blessing  of  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church 
had  come  down  upon  their  labours;  more  than  3,000 
souls  had  been  hopefully  converted  through  their  in- 
strumentaHty ;  the  Bible-Class,  the  Sabbath-School  and 
other  plants  of  righteousness,  by  hundreds,  had  sprung 
up  under  the  genial  influence  of  their  ministry,  and 
many  spots  in  the  wilderness  were  becoming  as  the 
garden  of  God.  These  new  and  extraordinary  re- 
sults were  animating  to  all  who  had  any  part  in  their 
accomplishment,  and  the  zeal  and  devotcdness  of  our 
departed  friend,  in  the  work,  achieving  still  greater 
things  for  his  country,  and  the  cause  of  the  church, 
were  increased  to  the  very  close  of  his  fife,  by  these 
manifest  tokens  of  the  Divine  favour. 

In  principle  a  Presbyterian,  Mr  Bruen  admired  the 
freedom  which  the  constitution  of  our  church,  rightly 
administered,  as  well  as  the  genius  of  our  civil  govern- 
ment, allows  to  the  voluntary  action  of  Christian  bene- 
volence.    This  he  regarded  as  the  glory  of  Presbyte- 


346  MEMOIRS  OF 

rianism,  that  while  it  throws  every  practicable  guard 
around  the  purity  of  the  Christian  profession  and  the 
ministerial  character,  it  leaves,  unobstructed,  the  sym- 
pathies of  the  whole  body,  to  be  moved  by  the  woes 
of  the  world  and  urged  to  activity  by  the  claims  of  Him 
who  died  that  sinners  might  live.  On  this  subject  he 
had  reflected  much;  had  watched  the  results  of  the 
efforts  of  voluntary  benevolent  associations  in  this 
and  in  other  countries,  and  had  come  to  regard  it  as 
one  of  the  brightest  hopes  of  the  church,  that  different 
portions  of  the  body  of  Christ  were  more  and  more 
disposed  to  combine  in  an  unrestrained  effort  to  give 
salvation  to  the  world.  These  sentiments  were  at  the 
bottom  of  his  attachment  to  the  organization  of  the 
Society  which  he  so  faithfully  served.  Its  action  was 
voluntary.  Its  labour  was  the  labour  of  love;  and  he 
felt  that  whatever  he  did  for  its  advancement  was 
preparing  the  way  for  the  universal  reign  of  the  Sa- 
viour. With  these  sentiments  he  held  on  his  way; 
and  it  is  affecting  that  the  last  public  service  which 
he  ever  performed  was  on  behalf  of  the  Home  Mis- 
sionary Society,  from  which  he  returned  to  his 
home; — to  die  in  a  single  week! 

Though  myself  beyond  the  Alleghanies  when  the 
Committee  assembled,  and  recorded  their  last  oflicial 
testimony  of  respect  and  affection  to  his  memory,* 


*  In  the  following  resolution.  *'  Resolved,  that  this  Committee  feel,  that  the 
dispensation  of  divine  Providence  in  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Mathias  Bruen,  has 
removed  one  of  their  most  active,  intelligent,  and  devoted  associates,  one  who 


MATTHIAS  BRUEN.  34T 

yet  be  assured,  my  heart  still  responds  to  every  sen- 
timent it  expresses.     Commending  you  to  God  and 
the  word  of  his  grace,  with  the  little  ones     He  has 
spared  to  you,  I  remain  in  the  best  of  bonds. 
Dear  Madam, 

Your  friend  in  aflliction, 

Absalom  Peters. 


has  been  foremost  in  the  zealous  and  industrious  fulfilment  of  the  important 
duties  devolving  on  them,  ever  since  the  formation  of  tlic  society  ;  and  that  they 
here  record  their  fond  remembrance  of  the  sweet  counsel  so  long  and  so  diligently 
shared  witli  him,  and  their  tender  sympathy  with  his  bereaved  family  and  church.' 


348  HEMOIRS  OF 


CHAPTER    XXVIK 

Mr  Peters  remarks  that  "Mr  Bruen  had  watched 
the  result  of  the  efforts  of  voluntary  benevolent  asso- 
ciations, and  came  to  regard  it  as  one  of  the  brightest 
hopes  of  the  church,  that  different  portions  of  the  body 
of  Christ  w^ere  more  and  more  disposed  to  combine^ 
in  an  unrestrained  effort  to  give  salvation  to  the 
vsrorld."  As  the  echo  of  the  controversy  on  voluntary 
associations  has  crossed  the  Atlantic,  we  have  required 
an  explanation  of  the  subject  in  dispute.  We  learn 
then  that  the  term  voluntary  association  is  employed 
in  an  arbitrary  sense  on  this  subject,  not  to  distinguish 
voluntary  from  compulsory  benevolent  societies,  for 
no  such  societies  exist,  but  to  distinguish  associations 
which  are  formed  by  one  body  of  Christians,  and 
which  might  be  termed  exclusive  associations,  from  those 
which  comprehend  Christians  of  every  denomina- 
tion who  choose  to  join  them,  and  which  might  be 
termed  mingled  associations.  Thus,  the  Board  of 
Missions,  appointed  annually  by  the  General  As- 
sembly, under  whose  guidance  it  operates,  and  to 


MATTHIAS  URUEV  34d 

whom  it  reports,  is  an  exclusive  association.  The 
American  Home  Missionary  Society,  on  the  contrary, 
embraces  three  rehgious  denominations,  namely,  the 
Congregational,  Presbyterian,  and  Dutch  Reformed; 
receives  contributions  indiscriminately  and  elects  its 
officers  from  any  of  the  three  denominations.  It  em- 
ploys Missionaries  from  each  of  these;  nevertheless, 
each  missionary  so  appointed,  generally  labours  for 
the  advancement  of  the  particular  church  to  which 
he  belongs.  This  society  is  under  no  ecclesiastical 
patronage,  but  depends  on  voluntary  contributions, 
and  is  a  complete  example  of  what  is  meant  by  a  vo- 
luntary association. 

This  style  of  association  is  suited  to  the  genius  of 
man  as  a  social  being — suited  to  the  genius  of  chris- 
tians, as  uniting  in  mutual  love,  and  above  all,  suited 
to  the  habits,  and  tastes,  and  ideas  of  freemen.  It 
is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  that  amid  ancient  hierar- 
chies and  intolerant  establishments,  men  think  and 
plan  in  bonds  of  which  they  are  scarcely  conscious; 
and  instead  of  courageously  striking  out  new  schemes 
of  usefulness  irrespective  of  their  former  habits,  that 
they  rather  timidly  lay  aside  every  plan  that  cannot 
operate  with  an  adjustment  to  their  accustomed  order 
of  things;  being  reconciled  to  the  limitations  for  the 
sake  of  the  benefits  which  they  have  derived  from 
their  old  institutions.  But  that  any  set  of  people  in  a 
new  country,  which  glories  in  its  freedom,  whose 
strength  lies  in  its  republican  liberty,  should  be  in- 


350  MEMOIRS  OF 

clined  to  raise  partition  walls  among  the  benevolent, 
and  prevent  the  union  of  any  because  they  are  not 
both  of  Paul,  or  not  both  of  Apollos,  seems  a  volun- 
tary assumption  of  unwonted  bonds,  and  an  utter  de- 
reliction of  the  spirit  of  that  religion  which  is  the 
spring  and  source  of  all  benevolence.  It  is  indeed  a 
subject  of  surprise,  that  christians  in  a  free  country, 
should  wish  to  refuse  the  co-operation  of  fellow  chris- 
tians, or  so  limit  their  exertions.  To  have,  in  short, 
every  other  possession  unembarrassed,  but  to  have 
the  gospel  in  fetters,  and  christian  energy  bound. 

Of  the  thousands  who  learn  of  Christ,  there  are 
scarcely  hundreds  who  understand  much  about  church 
government,  and  scarcely  tens  who  occupy  themselves 
witli  it.  If  the  churches  who  associate  to  do  good, 
hold  the  essentials  of  christian  doctrine,  surely  the 
points  on  which  they  agree  are  the  most  important. 
Let  us  not  in  our  ignorance  and  pride  stand  aloof 
from  those  who  may  be  to  us  patterns  of  christian 
zeal;  let  us  not  burden  our  conscience  with  the 
thought  that  such  and  such  great  plans  might  have 
been  forwarded,  had  our  brotherly  union  been  lent  to 
the  work.  The  spirit  of  God  works  on  tlie  various 
classes  of  human  beings,  by  all  varieties  of  instru- 
ments, and  raises  up  here  one  engine,  and  there 
another ;  but  none  appears  to  partake  of  the  catholic 
spirit  that  will  at  last  pervade  the  church  of  Christ,  so 
completely  as  a  band  of  christians  who  unite  from  no 
other  motive  but  that  of  love  to  their  glorious  Master, 


MATTHIAS  BRUEy.  351 

and  love  to  their  fellow  men.  What  more  beautiful 
example  of  fraternal  love  has  this  century  beheld,  than 
that  of  the  whole  eastern  and  more  ancient  portion  of 
the  states,  stretching  out  its  blessings  of  education 
and  a  christian  ministry  to  the  recently  peopled 
regions  of  the  west?  What  more  noble  than  that 
effort  of  the  sympathy  of  a  nation  which  seemed 
to  rise  as  one  man  to  the  relief  of  the  crushed,  the 
oppressed,  the  bleeding  Greeks!  Are  such  great 
movements  of  mind  the  fruit  of  a  sectarian  spirit? 
Was  it  a  sectarian  spirit  w^hich  formed,  and  has  now 
well  nigh  accomplished  the  generous  resolution  to  put 
a  Bible  into  the  hands  of  every  family  in  the  United 
States  within  two  years?  A  resolution  which  has 
called  up  to  many  a  British  eye  the  tear  of  admiration, 
and  has  been  seconded  by  many  a  British  prayer. 
Did  a  sectarian  spirit  unite  British  and  American 
missionaries  in  the  south  seas,  in  Palestine,  in  India? 
Is  this  the  spirit  which  annihilates  the  Atlantic  waves, 
and  gathers  from  many  a  clime  the  sweet  incense  of 
united  prayer  before  the  throne  of  God,  as  if  it  as- 
cended from  one  heart  and  one  soul? 

O  surely  the  christians,  if  christians  they  be,  who 
oppose  themselves  to  voluntary  associations,  perceive 
not  the  evil  they  promote,  nor  the  good  which  they 
frustrate.  A  society  confining  itself  to  an  individual 
denomination,  assures  union  in  church  government  it 
is  true;  but  that  is  but  a  cold  and  abstract  point,  not 
at  ail  aiding  by  its  influence  the  promotion  of  the  be 
2  V 


352  MEMOIRS   OF 

nevolent  object  in  view.  Voluntary  Associations  on 
the  other  hand,  imply  union  about  the  object  to  be 
obtained;  where  men's  hearts  being  warmed  by  a 
generous  enthusiasm,  they  urge  each  other  forward, 
and  emulate  each  other  in  devising  means  of  help. 
It  is  no  subject  of  surprise  that  the  ungodly  should  ab- 
hor such  an  instrument.  The  power  of  combination, 
so  well  known  in  all  political  and  mercantile  concerns, 
seems  to  have  lain  domant  in  reference  to  the  pro- 
gress of  religon  till  the  last  quarter  of  a  century.  But 
now  that  we  have  seen  how  the  slender  contribution 
of  a  penny  a  w  eek  by  a  very  poor  population,  hearty 
in  their  object,  is  able  to  put  in  motion  an  engine  ir- 
resistible in  power,  Satan  may  well  tremble  when 
such  engines,  aided  by  the  prayers  of  thousands,  are 
at  work  to  overthrow  his  dominion. 

In  great  Britain  what  do  we  not  ow^e  to  Voluntary 
Associations!  There  did  exist  societies  connected 
with  the  established  churches.  There  was  in  England 
a  prayer-book  and  homily  society,  and  a  society  for 
promoting  christian  knowledge;  and  there  was  in 
Scotland  also  a  society  for  propogating  christian 
knowledge, — languid  in  their  exertions,  and  limited 
in  their  extent.  They  seemed  dozing  in  decrepit 
security.  It  is  only  of  recent  date  that  stimulated  by 
the  example  of  the  Missionary,  Bible,  and  Tract  so- 
cieties, &c.,  which  cover  the  face  of  the  United  King- 
dom, and  which  are  all  voluntary  associations,  these 
elder  societies  which  are  part  and  parcel  of  the  es- 


MATTHIAS  BRUEN.  853 

tablishments  they  belong  to,  liave  awakened  them- 
selves to  a  renovated  existence,  and  to  new  exertion. 
The  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  which  has 
been  so  often  extolled  by  American  christians,  and 
which  they  have  taken  for  their  model,  is  entirely  a 
voluntary  association;  and  woe  to  the  day  when  it 
shall  fall  into  the  hands  of  any  one  denomination, 
though  that  sliould  include  the  majorit}'  of  the  Chris- 
tians of  England. — On  that  day  it  will  lose  half  its 
vitality,  half  its  energy,  half  its  prayers,  and  oil  the 
Catholic  spirit  of  wdiich  it  has  formed  so  honourable 
a^  example. 

Those  religious  societies  which  have  within  these 
few  years  been  formed  in  Paris,  owe  their  very 
existence  to  the  principle  of  voluntary  association. 
If  the  scanty  protestant  population  there  had  stood 
aloof  from  each  other,  and  declined  to  unite  w4th  any 
but  French  protestants,  to  the  exclusion  of  Swiss,  or 
English  protestants,  or  Lutherans,  how  could  they 
have  found  enough  of  any  one  denomination  to  make 
an  impression?  It  must  surely  be  in  the  very  reckless 
extravagance  which  plenty  produces,  that  christians 
in  America  can  aflbrd  to  quarrel  with  voluntary  as- 
sociations. Let  them  be  but  tried  by  a  Parisian  famine, 
and  how^  gladly  would  they  grasp  the  hand  of  any 
brother  disposed  to  combine  with  them,  without 
pausing  to  weigh  the  minor  points,  on  which  it  is  well 
understood  that  they  do  not,  and  on  which  it  is  not 
essential  that  they  should  agree. 


Jir 


354  MEMOIRS    OF 

The  injunction  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  gather 
up  the  fragments  that  nothing  be  lost,  cannot  be 
obeyed  if  there  are  not  mingled  societies.  For  the 
various  denominations  which  are  dispersed  over  the 
face  of  the  country,  are  in  many  instances  too  far  re- 
moved from  their  parent  churches  to  co-operate  with 
them,  and  too  feeble  to  act  alone.  A  voluntary  asso- 
ciation gathers  all  in,  and  saves  from  lying  unignited 
one  spark  of  christian  zeal  or  benevolence. 

It  may  be  that  the  American  Bible  Society  receives 
contributions  and  employs  agents  of  at  least  ten  de- 
nominations. Now  suppose  that  these,  withdrawing 
the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  and  narrowing  the  ex- 
pansive spirit  of  love  which  at  first  united  them,  were 
to  split  into  ten  societies — would  not  each  denomina- 
tion thus  sacrifice  nine-tenths  of  its  power  ?  Would 
not  the  exercise  of  the  feeble  tenth  be  embarrassed 
and  counteracted  by  collision  w^ith  any  of  the  other 
nine?  and  to  what  end  would  this  great  sacrifice  be 
made?  For  the  gratification  of  that  sectarian  spirit, 
which  looking  away  from  the  uniting  Head  of  the 
Church,  chills  and  formalizes  itself  by  fixing  its  atten- 
tion on  the  subdivided  and  erring  members.  Can  it 
be  thought  that  limitations  which  check  the  flow  of 
mutual  charity  among  the  churches,  can  be  the  means 
of  promoting  charity  in  the  unreclaimed  world?  Or 
can  those  who  feel  the  privileges  of  freemen  expect 
that  they  are  to  fetter  the  natural  flow  of  benevolence 
by  their  boundary  lines,  with  impunity  ?    When  Robert 


MATTHIAS    BIIUKX.  869 

Southey  was  made  Poet  Laureat,  it  was  remarked 
that  an  extinguisher  was  put  on  his  genius,  "  and  that 
his  Carmen  Triumphale  had  no  spark  of  his  former 
fire."  This  seems  a  most  natural  result  of  restraint 
in  things  that  ought  to  be  spontaneous.  Were  every 
zealous  Christian  withdrawn  from  the  schemes  of 
Christian  exertion  in  which  he  has  voluntarily  em- 
barked, and  constrained  to  work  only  in  the  Church 
with  which  he  is  connected,  however  much  the  with- 
drawn might  be  attached  to  their  Churches,  from 
that  hour  not  only  would  their  exertion,  but,  it  is  to 
be  feared  also  their  attachment  decay, — and  this  not 
arising  from  a  rebellious  spirit  which  refuses  to  be 
guided,  but  from  the  impossibiUty  of  legislating  for 
the  mind.  Your  object  may  be  a  very  good  one,  but 
it  does  not  interest  him,  his  heart  was  possessed  by 
that  which  he  had  selected  for  himself.  Your  plans 
may  be  wise,  but  those  in  which  he  formerly  co-oper- 
ated seemed  to  him  more  judicious;  they  commanded 
all  his  energy. 

Well  do  we  remember  the  admiration  of  j\lr  Bruen 
of  a  little  circumstance  which  occurred  in  1818  when 
he  was  with  his  friends  in  Scotland.  It  was  stated 
that  an  Independent  minister  was  going  to  preach  in 
the  church  yard  on  a  Sabbath  evening,  and  it  was 
asked  of  the  minister  of  the  established  church,  "how 
he  liked  that?"  "The  preacher  is  a  good  man  I  be- 
lieve," replied  thepastor,  and  as  an  old  brother  min- 
ister said  on  a  similar  occasion,  "they  are  a-  stifl> 


356  MEMOIRS  or 

necked  people,  they  will  take*  us  both."  Mr  B.  had 
first  looked  dubiously,  as  if  he  expected  it  to  be  the 
duty  of  a  minister  of  an  establishment  to  be  offended 
with  this  as  an  encroachment.  The  answer  led  to  a 
discussion,  which  he  often  aftei'wards  referred  to,  and 
which  was  brought  forcibly  to  remembrance  by  what 
he  says,  as  quoted  in  one  of  his  letters,  that  "he  be- 
lieves in  every  body  who  believes  in  prayer."  Those 
who  "believe  in  prayer,"  of  whatever  denomination, 
when  banded  together  for  the  good  of  souls,  must 
surely  be  the  means  of  bringing  members  into  the 
church  of  Christ,  and  if  into  the  church,  then  surely 
into  some  one  of  its  denominations;  and  thus  will  not 
only  the  general  churches  but  individual  churches 
also  be  strengthened.  How  blindly  then  do  those  ar- 
gue who  would  withhold  their  members  from  general 
exertion.  It  is  the  very  means  by  which  they  shall 
gather  in  numbers  to  their  own  community.  Secta- 
rianism has  in  all  countries  been  an  impediment  to 
the  spread  of  the  gospel.  We  are  approaching  the 
time  when  all  such  barriers  shall  be  overthrown,  and 
those  who  would  partake  of  the  holy  peace  of  the 
latter  day  glories,  must  hasten  to  adjust  their  minds 
to  that  expanded  spirit  of  liberality  which  will  surely 
be  its  harbinger. 

A  young  woman  who  had  been  brought  up  in  the 
house  of  a  pious  father,  under  the  ministry  of  an  old 

*  A  Scotticism  meaning  "  require." 


MATTHIAS    BRUEPf.  367 

light  congregation,  belonging  to  one  of  the  exclusive 
sects  in  Scotland,  went  to  London  without  iiaving  had 
her  heart  touched  by  the  gospel.  There  she  received 
the  blessed  tidings,  and  returned  to  the  parental  roof 
in  dying  circumstances.  Her  lather's  minister  visited 
her,  and  the  good  man's  countenance  beamed  with 
joy  when  he  heard  the  language  of  a  child  of  God 
from  her  lips.  But  where  had  she  learned  all  this? 
Where  had  the  blessed  change  been  wrought?  She 
heard  it  from  Mr  M.  an  Independent  minister  in  Lon- 
don; she  had  opened  her  troubled  heart  to  him;  he  had 
counselled  her.  His  wife  had  opened  her  house  to 
welcome  her;  they  had  been  as  parents  to  her. — At 
the  word  "Independent,"  the  face  of  her  pastor  un- 
derwent so  painful  a  change,  that  the  ardour  of  the 
dying  christian  was  checked.  "O  Sir,  why  do  you 
look  so,  do  they  not  belong  to  Christ?"  "I  cannot 
say,"  replied  the  good  Anti-burgher,  "I  would /«m 
hope  they  may,  but  surely  there  is  a  right  way!" 
"Well  Sir — Christ  is  the  way,  and  Mr  M.  led  me  to 
him,  w^hat  more  could  I  want?"  This  little  incident 
which  is  of  but  yesterday,  is  an  example  of  thousands 
of  a  similar  kind,  where  prejudice,  or  it  may  be,  even 
a  just  preference  on  minor  points  pushed  beyond  its 
proper  limits  robs  the  heart  of  its  lawful  subjects  of 
gratitude,  and  deprives  it  of  sympathy  with  angels 
who  have  "joy  in  Heaven,  wdien  one  sinner  repent- 
eth."  In  such  a  state  of  limitation  were  the  Associate 
Reformed  Presbyterians  in  America,  when  the  rules 


S58  MEMOIRS  OF 

of  his  church  obliged  Dr  Mason  to  refuse  the  refresh- 
ment of  the  Lord's  supper  to  one  who,  he  could  not 
doubt  belonged  to  the  Lord.  His  efforts  were  eminent- 
ly blessed  in  breaking  down  such  barriers.  Shall  not 
some  other  christian  be  the  happy  and  honoured  in- 
strument of  removing  obstacles  to  Voluntary  Associa- 
tion, and  hastening  the  unity  of  that  church  which 
has  surely  but  one  head,  even  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ? 


i 


I 


ERRATA: 

Page  26,  Revered,  for  rcvprend. 

Page  221,  Indeed,  for  indesied, 

Page  250,  Dr  Howe,  for  Dr  How. 

Page  282,  If  the  country  were  free,  for  if  the  country  is  free. 


11111111111H«»'§^'§'^' 


m^ 


ii 


^  ^^.2.\ 


JB'Si^ 


::*'.^ 


£  Duncan  I 

I'einoirs  of  the  life  and  clmracterK/;*!, 
of  the  Rev.  l^Iatthias   Bruen  ■'  '^' 


BRITTLE  DO  NOT 
PHOTOCOPY/ 


■iiit 


Of 


■UUUhHUi 


mm 


m 


